More than 30 football hooligans have been hit with new banning orders totalling over 100 years as West Midlands Police has given the red card to troublemakers.
The force’s football unit has pursued court action to tackle those involved in nuisance or disorder during the 2018/19 season.
A total of 34 people have been handed fresh Football Banning Orders (FBOs) – of between three to five years – which prevent them from attending games in the UK and overseas.
It means anyone with an FBO missed out on following England in the inaugural UEFA Nations League finals that were held in Portugal.
Fans who score an own goal by failing to surrender their documents face a hefty fine or up to six months imprisonment.
The most recent FBOs include eight Coventry supporters who were involved in disorder after the game against Sunderland at the Ricoh Arena.
But the orders can also be handed out to those who commit football-related offences such as fighting or damaging property in a pub while watching a game.
Inspector Andy Bridgewater, head of the force’s football unit, said: “These orders are sought proportionately against the small number of fans who engage in football-related violence, nuisance and disorder.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of all supporters and those who fail to respect this and break the law will be punished.
“In the last season we have secured banning orders totalling more than 100 years and those who breach them face being jailed.
“We now have more than 200 people on FBOs across the region and they not only cover games in the UK but overseas.
