Real Madrid fan given Football Banning Order
Nathaniel Morgan, 30 from Wiltshire, has been issued with a three year Football Banning Order (FBO) for entering a restricted area following the Champions League Semi-Final match at the Etihad Stadium.
On Tuesday 26th April 2022, Manchester City played Real Madrid at the Etihad stadium. At the end of the match footballers from both teams remained briefly on the pitch; some conducting post-match interviews.
Nathaniel Morgan, who is a Real Madrid supporter, climbed over a low-level barrier between the seating area and restricted playing area and ran towards the Real Madrid players who were being interviewed. He got five metres into the prohibited area when a steward caught up with him. He was restrained and escorted away.
He pleaded guilty to going onto area adjacent to playing area - Football (Offences) Act 1991 at an earlier hearing.
Adrian Hollamby for the CPS said: "The CPS are committed to taking a robust stance in prosecuting those who partake in football related disorder. We are working with the police and football organisations to build the strongest possible case, and to apply for Football Banning Orders where appropriate, to make football safe to play and watch."
In a Professional Football Association (PFA) impact statement, the chair, John Mousinho, said: "As a game and society, we need to concentrate on deterrents and reinforce the fundamental fact that entering a football pitch is a criminal offence, and one that will be punished consistently regardless of circumstances."
Notes to editors
- Adrian Hollamby is a Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West
- The CPS is currently working with the football clubs, player bodies and organisations, like the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association to explain what evidence is required to charge to help clubs and the leagues protect their players by ensuring we have all the evidence we need to build the strongest case possible.
- Douglas Mackay of the CPS said: "Over recent years and months, hate crimes relating to sporting events have been on the rise. A recent UK Football Policing Unit mid-season report has shown a significant rise in football-related criminality compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the CPS, we play a crucial role in tackling these crimes and making our national sport inclusive and safe to watch. There is no place for hate in football, and hate crimes such as this has significant impact on victims."