York SMC Statement

PITCH INVASIONS AT THE LNER COMMUNITY STADIUM

Everyone connected with York Stadium Management Company is absolutely delighted for all supporters, players and officials of York City Football Club having achieved promotion to the National League. The supporters’ exhilaration and delight at the results of those recent games are fully understandable and are shared by all those responsible for match day safety and stadium operations.

However, as a direct consequence of the large scale pitch invasions at recent home fixtures, York Stadium Management Company – in full consultation with North Yorkshire Police, representatives of the City of York Council, and the Safety Advisory Group – is obligated to initiate a full review of the implications of that behaviour in early preparation for the start of the football club’s 2022/23 season.

The celebrations of supporters, whatever the circumstances, cannot and must not include pitch invasion. It remains illegal for individuals to enter the pitch area in any stadium. Whilst we have seen a number of similar incidents in recent days at other grounds there is growing national concern about the increased risk and safety of players, officials, supporters and match day staff generally (i.e. from the club, stewards, police etc.). This simply cannot continue and appropriate measures will have to be introduced.

There is a shared responsibility to prevent any kind of unacceptable behaviour within the stadium by all stakeholders – including clubs and their supporters – and to take ownership of, and implement, appropriate measures to prevent damage, pitch invasions and ensuring the safety of everyone inside the stadium.

Any conditional licensing measures that may be introduced following the consultative review (scheduled to be carried out over the next 4 weeks) will take into consideration the recent behaviour of fans, the adequacy of preventative actions taken by all stakeholders and the effectiveness of communications about those actions. As a minimum, such measures will include allocated seat tickets being sold for all areas of the stadium and individual match risk categorisation that may affect steward and police numbers, depending on fans’ ongoing behaviour, the opposition and the adequacy of preventative actions taken by all stakeholders.

All parties respect and understand that similar challenges in respect of supporters’ unacceptable behaviour are being faced by other stadium operators and clubs. Our concern mirrors the Football Association’s about a rise in anti-social behaviour from fans generally, and recognises that there is a threat under FA Rule E20, that clubs can face anything from a warning through to stadium closure and potential points deduction if they are found guilty of failing to take adequate action.