Football Spectators Act 1989

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Football Spectators Act 1989

Act of Parliament
Long title	An Act to control the admission of spectators at designated football matches in England and Wales by means of a national membership scheme and licences to admit spectators; to provide for the safety of spectators at such matches by means of such licences and the conferment of functions on the licensing authority in relation to safety certificates for grounds at which such matches are played; and to provide for the making by courts and the enforcement of orders imposing restrictions on persons convicted of certain offences for the purpose of preventing violence or disorder at or in connection with designated football matches played outside England and Wales.
Citation	1989 c. 37
Territorial extent	England and Wales
Dates
Royal assent	16 November 1989
Status
England and Wales	Current legislation
Text of the Football Spectators Act 1989 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. Its provisions apply primarily to football matches played in England and Wales. Amendments to the Act were made through the Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999, the Football (Disorder) Act 2000, and the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, the last of which repealed large sections of the Football Spectators Act 1989.

The aim of the Act was to identify individuals known to cause disorder at and around football matches, whether in the UK itself or abroad.^[1] It was originally intended that fans would have to give a passport number to become part of a membership scheme and receive an identity card so as to go to away matches, but eventually this was not enacted.