UKFPU statement -Football fans subject to banning orders reminded to hand in their passport ahead of England’s opening match

Football fans across England and Wales who are subject to banning orders and are being reminded to surrender their passports.

2439 people are currently subject to Football Banning Orders (FBOs) which ban them from attending any football match, and of these 1,978 are also required to surrender their passports during international tournaments.

As of Monday 15 June, 94 per cent of passports have been surrendered, however six-per cent (114) remain outstanding.

Ahead of England’s opening match in Dallas on Wednesday 17 June, the UK Football Policing Unit has issued a final warning to offenders to surrender their passports.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the NPCC Lead for football policing, said:

“Football banning orders are an effective way of dealing with football fans who commit offences at football matches, and as can be seen, the vast majority of those who are subject to the orders have been compliant.

“Unfortunately, there are a small number of fans who have yet to surrender their passports, and work is ongoing to locate and arrest them.

“In addition, we have now shared their details with the American authorities, meaning that if they do attempt to attend the World Cup then they will face the full force of the authorities in the USA, as well as those here in the UK when they return.”