Supporter receives three-year football banning order for pitch encroachment

Daniel Potts (30/09/95) of Thompson Road, Denton was sentenced at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday 18 August 2022) for entering the field of play.

The offence occurred during the mass pitch invasion following the final round of Premier League fixtures between Manchester City and Aston Villa on Sunday 22 May 2022 which kicked-off at 4pm.

Footage captured on Manchester City CCTV cameras shows Potts firstly step across the first barrier during the final seconds of the game. As soon as the final whistle is blown a surge of supporters climb across the first safety barrier and push through the line of stewards stood in front of the stand. These supporters, including Potts then climb over a three-foot advertisement board and onto the playing area. He is then one of the first groups of supporters who encroached onto the playing area.

In the sentencing he was also ordered to pay a fine, costs and a victim surcharge which amounted to £807.

PC Matt Ford of the Force’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit, said; “With the fixture being the last of the 2021/22 football season and the title decider, it was categorised as ‘high risk’ in terms of public safety, public disorder, and any related criminal activity, messages were displayed around the stadium before the full-time whistle reminding supporters that pitch encroachment is an offence as well as being an agreed condition of entry under the terms and conditions when purchasing a ticket to attend a regulated football fixture in the UK.

“This sentencing shows the important of football fans listening to that advice going forwards as well as being aware of the proactive measures by the authorities and clubs to help tackle this illegal form of behaviour to ensure the safety of spectators as well as the players on the pitch.

“The football banning order sends out a clear message to other supporters that disorderly, anti-social and volatile behaviour at football matches is not acceptable. Measures going into this season with stronger sanctions are to tackle the poor fan behaviour seen at matches nationally, including this fixture in the last campaign.”