There are still people on the pitch! Updated risk mitigation tips from recent FA cases
This article considers pitch incursion lessons for clubs arising out of three recent FA Regulatory Commission cases, in which significant financial penalties were handed out. It develops the advice set out in the author’s article from November,[1] and pays close attention to the Commission’s new forensic analysis in the cases of Southampton FC,[2] Portsmouth FC,[3] and Doncaster Rovers FC.[4] The main themes to emerge for clubs are as follows:
- Prepare for expert evaluation of your pre-match plan
- Evidence the results of hazard detection
- Place emphasis on protecting key groups and individuals
- Prepare for forensic scrutiny of the implementation of any plan
- Ensure effective communications with fans and supporter groups
- Main takeaway points for clubs
Written decisions for the three cases are all available to download online as pdfs.
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- Tags: Athlete Safety | English Football League (EFL) | English Premier League | Fan Safety | Football | Governance | Pitch Invasions | Regulation | The FA | United Kingdom (UK)
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Written by
Tim Williamson
Tim is a partner in Clarke Willmott's commercial and private client litigation team and leads on the regulatory side for the firm’s sport sector. He has an unmatched breath of experience and knowledge within the sector and works to provide the most specialist solutions for his clients. Tim can help clients respond to changes in their regulatory landscape, reduce risk arising from such developments and represent them when faced with an investigation by a regulatory body and / or when threatened with sanction.
