- Officers must have the possibility of testing fans who commit offenses to matches
- Powers given after an examination of the final of the end of Euro 2020 in Wembley
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Football fans who behave badly on matches could be tested in drugs under new powers that should be given to the police.
The Ministry of the Interior has announced that the police will have the ability to test those who commit criminal offenses in the games in the context of a government move to “fight against the deep causes of recurrence and reduction in behavior criminal”.
Currently, police can test class A drugs such as cocaine for crimes such as theft, theft, manipulation of stolen property and the possession of an illegal drug.
However, these “trigger offenses” are now likely to be extended to acts which are under the 1991 law on football offenses and the 1986 law on public order.
According to the latest statistics from the 2023 season to 2024, there were 344 arrests for possession or use of class A drugs.
The proposal will be part of the crime bill and the police, which should be presented in Parliament in the coming weeks. If it is, as expected, it will mean offenses such as violence, the invasion of pitch, the missile jet or the racist, indecent or tragedy song – will trigger the tests. Tests for certain class B and C drugs will also be authorized.
Police constitute a line in Wembley before the final of Euro 2020 while thousands of fans descend
Forts Fly: Fans without tickets entered altercations with others when they burst into the stadium
The Minister of Police Services, Dame Diana Johnson is determined to remove the `unnecessary criminal acts ”
Police Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “The police are working tirelessly to make sure that dedicated football fans can attend light fixtures during the week. However, there are still individuals who choose to use football matches as an excuse to participate in insane criminal behavior and we will not defend that.
“As part of our change plan, we give the police these wider powers to fight against illegal drug addiction and help prevent unnecessary criminal acts in football matches such as violence or the song of tragedy.
“This behavior will not be tolerated and we take important measures to stop the use of illegal substances in football matches.”
This decision follows the independent examination of Baroness Casey of the events which took place during the final of the UEFA Euro 2020 in Wembley, who found that the use of illegal drugs and alcohol has led the stroke of widespread inch displayed that day.
If someone tests positive for the possession or the supply of class A drugs in a football match, he faces a ban prescription and could even be imprisoned.
