A day out at a football match with family and friends should be a fun occasion, and win, lose or draw, you should be able to enjoy the company of others while experiencing the thrills of the world’s most popular sport. Unfortunately, there have been several well-documented instances of crime being committed at football matches over the last few years, and with spikes in antisocial behaviour, incidents of drug-abuse and the threat of hooliganism, attending a match can quickly become a memorable experience for all the wrong reasons. If you find yourself accused of causing trouble at a football match, or wrongfully targeted as a criminal,
Lefevre Litigation are always just a click away. As a partner at the firm since 2018, Liam McAllister maintains a particular expertise in the legalities of football related public disorder, and has helped many locals with banning orders and sports-related offences.
Continue reading to find out more in regards to football related crimes, and the varied incidents which could see you in need of a lawyer.
Singing Distasteful Songs
A heated rivalry may result in an exchange of words between opposing fans, however this friendly competition can very quickly turn sour if the subject becomes distasteful or offensive. Chants related to race, religion, or tragic past events may result in criminal action, with happenings in Scotland from just last year resulting in Rangers Football Club banning three fans for an indefinite period, following a display of ‘anti-Irish racism’.
Acting Drunk And Disorderly
Acting drunk and disorderly in any public context is likely to land you in trouble with the law, however with the police presence at football matches, if you are to consume too much alcohol and act in a manner which is classed as disorderly, the repercussions could be damaging. Public order offences are common at sporting events, and could even land you in prison without guidance from solicitors.
Fighting Or Disrupting The Peace
If you have found yourself being accused of disrupting the peace, or you have been involved in a fight which was not your fault, the team at Lefevre Litigation will assess the circumstances and use our legal knowledge to find a
satisfactory course of action. Assaults at football matches are not uncommon, and if you have been wrongfully accused of an assault, or targeted as a result of mistaken identity, you will likely benefit from the advice of a legal professional.
Entering The Pitch During A Match
Known as a ‘pitch invasion’, entering the area of play during an ongoing match is one way to quickly find yourself with a banning order. Pitch invaders are easily identifiable via television cameras, and with the prominent presence of stewards and law enforcement, entering a football pitch could result in a fine, temporary ban from attending football matches, or even a permanent order against entering the club grounds.
Located in the West end of Aberdeen, our ever-expanding team are here to help you with a range of legal issues, including common assault accusations, theft and sexual offenses. Boasting over
40 years of combined experience, Lefevre Litigation are the reliable choice when navigating legal issues. Able to offer fixed-fee quotes or hourly rates, we will even assess your eligibility for legal aid. Any questions for a lawyer?Contact our solicitors at your earliest convenience.
