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<p /> <p /> <p>Racially and religiously aggravated offences have no place in our society.
Parliament has provided the courts with the necessary powers to deal effectively with
those who are convicted of these serious offences. The court must make a football
banning order where an offender has been convicted of a relevant offence and it is
satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that making a banning order
would help prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, any regulated football
matches. If the court is not so satisfied, it must state that fact and give reasons
in open court. The prosecution has a right of appeal against a failure by the court
to make a banning order.</p><p> </p><p>Relevant offences for these purposes include
chanting of an indecent or racialist nature at a designated football match, and specified
offences under the Public Order Act 1986 committed during a period relevant to a football
match, which covers the period beginning two hours before the match and ending one
hour after the match, at any premises while the offender was at, or entering or leaving
or trying to enter or leave, the premises.</p><p> </p><p>We are not aware of any evidence
to suggest that the magistracy are reluctant to make football banning orders, and
decisions of the magistrates are made with the assistance of legal advisers who refer
to current sentencing guidelines.</p>
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