Authorities are approaching the start of the English football season this weekend with caution, following riots that have shaken towns and cities across the nation. Numerous teams in the English Football League—below the Premier League—are set to play their opening matches on Saturday afternoon, including in areas affected by the unrest. The violence erupted after a knife attack that claimed the lives of three children. However, officials have pointed to far-right groups, some with connections to England’s longstanding football hooliganism, as being responsible for the violence, which included attacks on mosques, immigration-linked sites, and police.
Tommy Robinson, a well-known anti-Muslim agitator with a history of criminal convictions, including for football-related offenses, has been accused of inciting the unrest through constant social media commentary. Crowds at some of the disturbances were heard chanting his name, which he adopted from a notorious Luton Town Football Club hooligan of the 2000s.
With thousands expected to gather for games in cities like Middlesbrough, Hull, and London on Saturday, there are concerns that the violence could resurface after two nights of relative calm. Additionally, over 80,000 fans are anticipated at Wembley on Saturday for the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a passionate football fan, acknowledged on Friday that the start of the new season adds another layer of difficulty for the police. He emphasized the need to meet this challenge head-on.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) reported that police forces across the country are working together to ensure that “all relevant intelligence” is shared before the football matches. A UKFPU spokesperson mentioned that they are being briefed on arrests made during the recent unrest and the potential for banning these individuals from football stadiums.
Football Banning Orders can be issued by courts after a football-related criminal conviction or following a police request. These orders prevent individuals from attending matches and, in some cases, from being near stadiums. Recently, they have been expanded to include convictions for online hate crimes related to football and for the sale or use of Class A drugs.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which oversees the UKFPU, urged people not to associate football with the recent violence. He stressed that football is a unifying force in communities, although a small minority of violent individuals try to attach themselves to the sport.
Mark Doidge, a Loughborough University academic who studies UK and European football fan cultures, said that while English football usually requires “a major police operation,” officers are well-prepared. He downplayed the connection between recent disorder and football fans, noting that while some fans may have far-right affiliations, not all do, and not all far-right individuals are football fans or attend matches. He emphasized that there doesn’t appear to be any organized activity within football related to the recent unrest, and no protests have been planned at stadiums.
Doidge warned that some fans might spontaneously chant or protest about recent events, potentially causing divisions among supporters and creating an unpredictable situation for the police. He pointed out that if confrontations arise among fans of the same team, it could present an unexpected challenge for authorities.
Meanwhile, football clubs in towns that have experienced recent rioting have spoken out against the violence. Steve Gibson, chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club, issued a joint statement with the town’s MP and mayor condemning the violent and racist incidents. He emphasized that Middlesbrough has a proud and inclusive history, welcoming people from all over the world for centuries.
