Criminal Legislation Affecting Fans

While responsibility for public safety now clearly rests with club management, the preservation of public order, albeit more and more supported by club stewards, is a task undertaken by the police.

The most common charges libelled against football fans by the police include the following:

• Assault
  Every attack directed to take effect physically on the person of another, provided there is criminal intent, is assault, whether or not actual injury is inflicted.
• Breach of the peace
  Breach of the peace is constituted by one or more persons conducting himself or themselves anywhere in a riotous or disorderly manner to the alarm, annoyance or disturbance of the lieges.
• The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995
  Penalises those who, travel to and from sporting events, whilst carrying alcohol on buses and trains; those attempting to enter or found inside a sports ground with controlled containers (bottle, cans &c); those attempting to enter or found inside a sports ground whilst in possession of alcohol; and those attempting to enter or found inside a sports ground whilst drunk.

The Lord Advocate's Instructions to Chief Constable's Regarding Incidents During Sporting Events |More...|

Scottish Police College Website |More...|

Strathclyde Police Website |More...|

Scottish Police Service Website |More...|

Scottish Courts Website |More...|

Scottish Law Online |More...|