A pre-season friendly between York City and Salford City was brought to an early close this week after Salford players were allegedly subjected to racial abuse from a member of the crowd. The incident, which took place in the closing stages of the match at York’s LNER Community Stadium, prompted Salford City manager Karl Robinson to take his team off the pitch with the score at 3-3.
North Yorkshire Police have since confirmed that a 23-year-old individual has been arrested in connection with the allegations, and both clubs are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
The case is a stark reminder that while football has made significant progress in tackling racism, discriminatory abuse remains an ongoing problem in and around stadiums, and it carries serious legal consequences.
What is the Law Around Racial Abuse at Football Matches?
Racist behaviour at football matches can amount to a criminal offence under several pieces of UK legislation, depending on the nature of the conduct. These include:
1. Public Order Act 1986
Under section 4A of the Public Order Act, it is an offence to intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress through abusive or insulting words or behaviour, especially when that conduct is racially or religiously aggravated.
- A racially aggravated public order offence can carry up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine if tried in the Crown Court.
- If heard in the Magistrates’ Court, it may result in a maximum six-month sentence and/or a fine.
2. Football (Offences Act) 1991
This Act criminalises indecent or racist chanting at designated football matches, whether directed at players, officials, or fellow supporters.
- A conviction under this Act may lead to a fine and a Football Banning Order, prohibiting attendance at future matches.
3. Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Where an offence is shown to be racially aggravated, the court must treat this as an aggravating factor, which increases the severity of the sentence.
In this case, if the allegations are substantiated, the arrested individual could be facing a racially aggravated public order charge, a serious offence in the eyes of both the courts and the wider public.
What Happens Next for Salford City FC?
As with any criminal investigation, the police will now seek to gather evidence, including witness statements, CCTV footage, and any recordings from fans or stadium officials. The arrested individual will be interviewed under caution and could face formal charges if sufficient evidence is found.
If the case proceeds to court, and a conviction follows, the sentencing will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The level and nature of the abuse
- Whether it was targeted at specific individuals
- The impact on the victims and the match itself
- Any previous convictions
Football banning orders are common in these scenarios and can last up to 10 years for serious offences, especially if linked to hate crime or disorder.
While there is rightly no place for racism in football or wider society, it’s also important to ensure that all allegations are fairly and properly investigated. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges following an incident at a sporting event, you should seek legal advice immediately.
Other Offences at Football Matches
While racism rightly draws widespread condemnation and legal action, there are other types of offensive or disruptive behaviour at football matches that can also lead to arrest and prosecution.
Tragedy Chanting
In recent years, tragedy chanting, where fans mock disasters involving rival clubs or cities (such as the Hillsborough or Munich air disasters), has become a growing concern for police and football authorities. Although this behaviour may not always involve direct threats or violence, it can still constitute a public order offence, particularly if it is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.
It is essential to understand that tragedy chanting is a wide offence that encompasses not only words but also gestures. This means that any form of communication or behaviour that can be perceived as mockery or disrespect towards tragic events falls under this category..
The Crown Prosecution Service has made it clear that such chanting can meet the threshold for prosecution under the Public Order Act 1986, particularly where it incites hostility or targets specific communities. In appropriate cases, offenders may also be handed Football Banning Orders to prevent them attending future matches.
Clubs and leagues, including the Premier League and the FA, have supported stronger enforcement in this area, urging fans to report any incidents and working with police to identify perpetrators via CCTV and social media footage.
Drunk and Disorderly Behaviour
Football matches are also closely monitored for alcohol-related disorders. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1967 and the Licensing Act 2003, it is an offence to be drunk and disorderly in a public place — and football stadiums and surrounding areas fall squarely within this remit.
You don’t have to be violent or abusive to face arrest. Simply being uncooperative, disruptive, or visibly intoxicated near a stadium can be enough to warrant police action, especially if it contributes to public safety concerns. If the offence is committed inside a stadium or during transport to a match, it may also result in a ban from future games, as well as a fine or conditional discharge.
It’s also worth noting that carrying or consuming alcohol in certain areas of football grounds, such as near the pitch or on official supporters’ coaches, is prohibited under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985.
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