North Antrim MLA Robin Swann has welcomed the introduction of football banning orders effective in the New Year under the provisions of the Justice Bill.
Mr Swann, who represents the Ulster Unionist Party on the Stormont Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee said;
“I know that all true football fans will welcome the introduction of banning orders in the New Year.
Local football is followed by thousands of fans every week, and it is essential that we in the Assembly do all we can to ensure that fans are able to enjoy the game in a safe environment and help encourage more families and children to attend matches.
Where an individual demonstrates that they cannot behave in a reasonable manner and in the process affect the enjoyment of other spectators, then banning orders are a useful tool available to the courts and the football authorities to ensure that those individuals are prevented from attending football matches.
The Ulster Unionist party was particularly supportive of this measure as the Justice Bill went through Stormont and we fully support banning orders as a means of protecting the right of the vast majority of those who attend local football, to enjoy the game free from the fear of having their enjoyment spoiled by the behaviour of a few individuals.”