§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Solicitor-General what guidance has been issued to Crown prosecutors about securing international football banning orders in respect of persons convicted of violence associated with football matches. [126869]
The Solicitor-GeneralDetailed internal guidance on the Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999, which widened the circumstances in which the courts can prevent those convicted of football-related offences from attending matches abroad, was issued to all Crown Prosecutors on 14 September 1999. This guidance stressed the importance of the legislation in relation to the Euro 2000 tournament, and advised prosecutors that the courts should be reminded of their duty to impose international football banning orders, whenever appropriate.
Further guidance was circulated on 16 June 2000 informing all Crown Prosecutors of two statutory instruments which now allow criminal offences committed by English and Welsh football supporters in Belgium and the Netherlands to be used as the subject of international football banning orders imposed in our domestic courts.