Lifted from the football supporters association website...
Apparently we can ban whoever we like without showing due process.
Clubs have the legal right to ban whoever they like (so long as they don't break equality laws). But surely there must be adequate appeals processes in place for fans who feel they've been unfairly treated? Not always, and different clubs handle things in very different ways, says the FSF's Amanda Jacks...
It’s rare for a football club to operate any type of “due process” when banning supporters from their ground. We’ve heard from fans banned for all manner of reasons and, in our experience, it can take considerable time to get their bans lifted.
We recognise that clubs have every right to refuse admission to supporters but feel such a drastic step should only be taken after both sides have been heard - a transparent banning process that gives a supporter the chance to have their say.
Even when a Football Banning Order has not been handed out, or a fan has been acquitted by the courts,
clubs sometimes choose to ban fans from their stadium. Is this reasonable? The majority of clubs offer no processes or procedures acting as judge, jury and executioner, which leaves fans at the whim of the club Safety Officer who is often behind such decisions.
Thanks to ticket Terms & Conditions supporters have no right to a refund for games missed if they are season ticket holders meaning, effectively, clubs are imposing a financial penalty as well as depriving the supporter of the ability to support his or her team.
Supporters often tell us they’ve been banned because of a complaint but when they try to get further information, confidentiality is cited (often wrongfully) meaning no defence can be made against unknown accusations. How is that fair?
