EURO 2020 final: UK to ban online racists from football matches
Condemning the abuse hurled at three black players after the final, the PM added online racism to the list of offences for which fans can be barred from matches.
Published : Jul 14, 2021 19:55 IST
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to ban anyone guilty of online racist abuse from attending football matches after three members of England national team were targeted following the side's loss in the European Championship final.
Johnson on Wednesday condemned the abuse leveled at three black players after they failed to score penalties in England's shootout defeat to Italy on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
The Prime Minister told the House of Commons it was time to act. The government plans to add online racism to the list of offences for which fans can be barred from matches, he said.
“What we are doing is taking practical steps to ensure that the football banning regime is changed so that if you are guilty of racist abuse online on football, then you will not be going to the match,’’ Johnson said during his weekly prime minister’s questions session. “No ifs, no buts, no exemptions, no excuses.”
Courts are allowed to issue banning orders if a fan is convicted of a “relevant offence” linked to a match, including crimes such as disorderly behavior or possession of weapons.