A message from Morecambe Football Club about antisocial and criminal behaviour.
Morecambe FC is supporting an all- football approach to ensure that every football fan feels safe attending matches.
Ahead of the new season, we’re backing the introduction of strong measures across football to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours within football grounds.
This includes entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros and throwing objects onto the pitch, as well as discriminatory behaviour and taking drugs.
All of these actions are illegal, dangerous and have no place in our game.
For everyone’s safety, all clubs will report anyone carrying out these offences to the police. Prosecution by the police can result in a permanent criminal record, which could affect your employment and education, and in some cases, result in a prison sentence.
Anyone who enters the pitch without permission or uses smoke bombs or pyros will now receive an automatic Club ban. This could also now apply to the parents or guardians of children involved in these activities.
These measures reflect the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and can cause life-changing injuries, burns and potentially fatal asthma attacks.
Entering the pitch endangers everyone because it’s impossible to tell the difference between a celebrating fan and a violent attacker. That is why the pitch must remain a safe space for players, and the stands for supporters.
Co-Chairman Graham Howse said: "Last season saw an increase in entering the pitch without permission, carry or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics, throwing objects and discrimatory behaviour.
"This was highlighted by the Club and we were pleased to see the vast majority took it on board. However, now is time to re-affirm that message and the Club stands side-by-side with the F.A, the Premier League and the EFL in the proposed new measures and stronger sanctions announced on Monday.
"These sanctions are effective from Saturday. Dangerous and illegal behaviour should not be part of the matchday experience, we are proud to be a family Club and proud of the way our fans conduct themselves, home and away, so I would ask for your unequivocal support, behaviour of this nature has no place in football or in general."
This season, Morecambe FC is supporting the FA, Premier League, EFL, and the Football Supporters Association to make football a safer and more welcoming environment, by cracking down on dangerous behaviour thatcan put fans, players, staff and match officials at risk.
We ask our supporters to come together to show that those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters.