OpenLegislation

Football Spectators Act 1989

1989 c. 37 · Enacted 16 November 1989 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 2(3)words substitutedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 26 para. 41
s. 7(10)(b)words repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 7

An Act to control the admission of spectators at designated football matches in England and Wales by means of a national membership scheme and licences to admit spectators; to provide for the safety of spectators at such matches by means of such licences and the conferment of functions on the licensing authority in relation to safety certificates for grounds at which such matches are played; and to provide for the making by courts and the enforcement of orders imposing restrictions on persons convicted of certain offences for the purpose of preventing violence or disorder at or in connection with designated football matches played outside England and Wales.

[16th November 1989]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part I: Football Matches in England and Wales
  2. Preliminary
  3. 1Scope and interpretation of this Part.
  4. National Membership Scheme
  5. 2Offences relating to unauthorised attendance at designated football matches. Not yet in force
  6. 3The Football Membership Authority. Not yet in force
  7. 4National membership scheme: making, approval, modification etc. Not yet in force
  8. 5National membership scheme: contents and penalties. Not yet in force
  9. 6Phased application of scheme. Not yet in force
  10. 7Disqualification for membership of scheme. Repealed
  11. Licences to admit spectators
  12. 8The Football Licensing Authority. Repealed
  13. 9Offence of admitting spectators to unlicensed premises.
  14. 10Licences to admit spectators: general.
  15. 11Power of Secretary of State to require conditions in licences relating to seating.
  16. 12Licences to admit spectators: revocation and suspension.
  17. 13Licensing authority’s powers in relation to safety at football grounds.
  18. Part II: Regulated football matches
  19. Preliminary
  20. 14Main definitions.
  21. Banning orders
  22. 14ABanning orders made on conviction of an offence.
  23. 14BBanning orders made on a complaint.
  24. 14CBanning orders: supplementary.
  25. 14DBanning orders made on a complaint: appeals.
  26. 14EBanning orders: general.
  27. 14FPeriod of banning orders.
  28. 14GAdditional requirements of orders.
  29. 14HTermination of orders.
  30. 14JOffences.
  31. Restriction orders
  32. 15Restriction orders.
  33. 16Effect of order.
  34. 17Application to terminate restriction order.
  35. 18Information.
  36. Reporting
  37. 19Functions of enforcing authority and local police.
  38. 20Exemptions from requirement to report as respects a match.
  39. 21Functions of enforcing authority: supplementary provisions.
  40. 21ASummary measures: detention.
  41. 21BSummary measures: reference to a court.
  42. 21CSummary measures: supplementary
  43. 21DSummary measures: compensation.
  44. Relevant offences outside England and Wales
  45. 22Restriction orders arising out of offences outside England and Wales.
  46. 22AOther interpretation, etc.
  47. Part III: General
  48. 23Further provision about, and appeals against, declarations of relevance.
  49. 24Offences by bodies corporate.
  50. 25Service of documents.
  51. 26Financial provision.
  52. 27Citation, commencement, consequential repeal and extent.
  53. Schedule 1: Offences
  54. 1Paragraph 1
  55. 2Paragraph 2
  56. 3Paragraph 3
  57. 4Paragraph 4
  58. Schedule 2: The Football Licensing Authority: Supplementary Provisions Repealed
  59. Status and capacity Repealed
  60. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  61. Appointment and tenure of members Repealed
  62. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  63. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  64. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  65. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  66. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  67. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  68. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  69. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  70. Remuneration and pensions of members Repealed
  71. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  72. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  73. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  74. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  75. Disqualification of members of licensing authority for House of Commons and Northern Ireland Assembly Repealed
  76. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  77. Proceedings Repealed
  78. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  79. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  80. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  81. Inspectors, officers and employees Repealed
  82. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  83. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  84. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  85. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  86. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  87. Accounts and audit Repealed
  88. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  89. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  90. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  91. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  92. 26AParagraph 26A Repealed
  93. 26BParagraph 26B Repealed
  94. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  95. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  96. Authentication of licensing authority’s seal Repealed
  97. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  98. Presumption of authenticity of documents issued by licensing authority Repealed
  99. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed