British authorities have banned over 2,300 football fans from traveling to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the World Cup. The Home Office in England said it will be enforcing restrictions on “known risk fans.”
As of Monday, the United Kingdom government has prohibited 2,318 football “thugs” from traveling to the host countries as part of its efforts to combat violent and unlawful behavior at the World Cup, according to Sky News. Around 65,000 fans from the United Kingdom are expected to travel to the World Cup.
Fans who have received football banning orders (FBOs) must hand their passports over to the police by Tuesday, June 2. Police will hold on to the fans’ passports until the World Cup final on July 19.
These measures will apply to 1,984 people with a football banning order in England and Wales. Non-United Kingdom passport holders who are under an FBO still face travel restrictions, but the police cannot force them to surrender their passports. Those numbers do not account for people whom the Scottish government will prevent from attending the World Cup.
These court-imposed bans have a maximum duration of 10 years and are given for alcohol and drug offenses, hate-motivated chanting or abuse, tailgating and unauthorized access, ticket scalping, violent and public disorder offenses, and football-related online hate crimes. A six-month jail sentence and an unlimited fine are the consequences of violating a FBO.
The United Kingdom’s Crime and Policing Minister addressed the ban
“The vast majority of football fans travel to support their team with pride and respect. But for the small minority of thugs who have let the side down in the past, we are clear: you are not welcome at this World Cup.
“Banning those with a history of disorder helps protect both local communities and the thousands of fans who simply want to enjoy the games. Our tough action means genuine fans can cheer on their teams safely and without being disrupted,” said Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones.
“Banning those with a history of disorder helps protect both local communities and the thousands of fans who simply want to enjoy the games. Our tough action means genuine fans can cheer on their teams safely and without being disrupted.
“For fans staying closer to home, we’ve put in place longer pub opening hours meaning more time to come together and back the home nations – right through to the final whistle and beyond.”