EFL clubs join forces to stop on-pitch violence

EFL CLUBS have joined forces to launch a major campaign to protect the players against “horrendous” crowd violence after a Nottingham Forest fan was jailed for attacking Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp.

Sharp was headbutted and knocked to the ground by a Forest fan in the wake of United’s semi-final play-off defeat at the City Ground last season. A 24-week sentence was handed out for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and going on to the playing area at a football match.

This led to a football-wide campaign called ‘Love Football, Protect the Game’ which focused on implementing bans for pitch invaders, pushing for more criminal prosecutions and the application of stadium banning orders. The EFL have also led a virtual nationwide fans’ forum with the aim to send a clear message to all clubs and their supporters that these sorts of actions will not be tolerated. Tension is always heightened during the run-in and subsequent play-offs, with Huddersfield Town receiving a £70,000 fine for their pitch invasion following their 1-0 win in the other play-off semi-final last term. Ahead of the conclusion of this season’s campaign, United’s former chief executive Trevor Birch has issued a stark warning against any repeat behaviour in his role as EFL chief executive.

“You have to protect the players. Because that was just horrendous and unfortunately you can’t legislate that might not happen again,” Birch said. “The fans who have committed those violent acts have spoilt it for everyone. The plea is now simply:

‘Just please, please behave yourselves and stay off the pitch’.”