While we all look forward to the new season, anyone attending our games at Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow, plus our away matches, should be aware that in partnership with all of English football, there will be new measures and stronger sanctions against offenders in place to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours, ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday environment for all.
At our stadiums and at all grounds in England, a new set of actions, which is backed by the Football Supporters’ Association, will target activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects - as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour.
These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences. They have no place in football, or anywhere.
At Chelsea we have long had a zero-tolerance approach to these forms of anti-social behaviour.
All identified offenders will be reported to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record, which may affect their employment and education, and could result in a prison sentence.
We have strengthened our methods of reporting abuse at the stadium. These reports will be monitored by our matchday security team who will take immediate action and remove anyone partaking in abusive or anti-social behaviour.
Anyone who enters the pitch will receive an automatic club ban for a minimum of one year.
Those identified as carrying or using pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will be banned for a minimum of three years. These bans will be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who take part in these activities.
There will be enhanced search regimes and increased use of sniffer dogs at grounds to detect possession of pyrotechnics and illegal drugs.
These measures reflect the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and cause life-changing injuries, while entering the pitch endangers players, managers and match officials – it is impossible for anyone to tell the difference between a celebrating fan and a violent attacker.
The football authorities are working with clubs and the Football Supporters’ Association to make sure everyone feels safe on matchdays, asking all fans to come together to show that those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters. The message is:
Love Football. Protect the Game.
Click for information on reporting anti-social behaviour