Banning orders, imprisonment and fines have been promised by the South Yorkshire Police stemming from anti-social behaviour in a previous steel city derby.
According to Chief Superintendent Cherie Buttle of South Yorkshire Police, the department is working closely with local football clubs to address disruptive behaviour effectively.
She said: “We work very closely with all of our local football clubs to ensure that anti-social behaviour or violence is dealt with effectively and efficiently. Issuing banning orders enables us to deal with those who persistently cause issues or commit football related offences.
“Failure to comply with the the requirements of a banning order is a criminal offence, which on conviction can lead to imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine up to £5,000”
Out of the 22 individuals involved in incidents during the match of November 10th, 10 have been charged while the remaining 12 are either under investigation or have been freed respectively.
The crackdown has drawn mixed reactions from fans online, with many Sheffield supporters saying the move is too heavy handed. Fans have also questioned the atmosphere and handling of the derby in modern times.
The safety of the hours surrounding a match was questioned by one fan, saying “It’s the same every time we go to the lane (Bramall Lane) and police allow them to come to the end of the road and get so close.”
Another fan has argued that changes made by the South Yorkshire police have impacted the atmosphere of the derby, saying, “The full end should’ve been given to Wednesday at the home game and we (Sheffield United fans) should’ve been given the full side at Hillsborough. That’s what makes the Sheffield derby. One side to the away end, three sides to the home end. Not allowed anymore because of SYP. No derby will be the same again.”
Another fan has advised the South Yorkshire Police to, “keep the Sheffield united supporters in for at least 20 minutes” to “avoid any trouble.”
A replying fan agreed, saying “It’s a recipe for disaster letting both sets of fans out altogether, innocent people with families could get caught up in clashes.”
While most fans argue that the upcoming derby on March 16 is no cause for concern, South Yorkshire police say they are committed to ensuring a safe environment for all attending the fixture. The force has indicated that further charges may be brought against individuals involved in the previous order, with some now being referred to the Crown prosecution service.
