Figures from across football authorities and representatives from various Supporters' Clubs came together earlier this week as the EFL hosted a live match experience fan forum, in association with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).
The EFL is committed to helping create an enjoyable, safe match experience at all clubs, and in support of the ‘Love Football Protect the Game’ campaign, the forum was delivered to listen, inform and educate on a range of areas linked to the matchday experience, specifically issues arising in respect of crowd behaviour.
Hosted by Sky Sports’ David Prutton, a range of panel guests and industry representatives came together to discuss a variety of important matters linked to the matchday experience, as well as hearing from a range of supporters about their own personal stories and discussing how everyone can play a part in positively improving the matchday experience.
Panel guests included:
- Nick Craig (COO, EFL)
- Kevin Miles (CEO, FSA)
- Bob Eastwood (Head of Security & Safety Operations, EFL)
- Lizzie Lewandowski (Football Unit Supervisor, West Midlands Police)
- Mark Devlin (CEO, Leyton Orient)
- Jack Lawton (Coach, Pompey in Community)
- Paul Davis (Safety Officer, Barnsley)
- Kate Lewers (Founder, Women of Watford)
- Pav Samra (Founder, Punjabi Rams)
- Mark Bradley (Director, The Fan Experience Company)
- Anthony Emmerson (Head of Supporter Experience, Stoke City)
- Michael Conroy (Co-Founder, Sunderland Spirit of 37 Fan Group)
In December 2022, the EFL worked with stakeholders and the FSA to develop new sanctioning guidance for clubs to help them make informed and proportionate decisions, while also spreading the word about the real life consequences for unwelcome behaviour at grounds.
The introduction of sanctioning guidelines aims to support clubs in making decisions using a case-by-case system, considering use of education and restorative justice programmes along the way.
“We all want to create a vibrant and exciting matchday atmosphere, that’s that makes the game great. But let’s do it safely and respectfully. We have to protect the game that we all love and that means understanding that we all have a responsibility to behave in the right way.” - Nick Craig, EFL’s Chief Operating Officer.
“We can’t ‘ban’ our way out of this problem. No one wants to see fans banned from attending football games. We want to educate, rehabilitate and work with supporters to become better and ultimately eradicate any unwelcome behaviour.” - Bob Eastwood, EFL’s Head of Security.
The introduction of sanctioning guidelines aims to support clubs in making decisions using a case-by-case system, considering use of education and restorative justice programmes along the way.
“Football has a wonderful ability to inspire fantastic behaviour. Fans come together up and down the country to support great causes and it is the minority that are at fault, but it all comes back to engagement. I often find if you can talk to people, listen to them and understand them you can go a long way in educating.” - Mark Devlin, Leyton Orient Chief Executive.
