Ahead of the start of the new season we want to make you aware of new measures being taken across all of football to help ensure football remains safe and enjoyable for all.

Under the new participant charter match officials will be empowered to take more robust action, while the players will receive cards for any confrontation, surrounding or invasion of the match officials’ personal space. Our academy scholars will also undertake refereeing courses to improve players’ education into officiating.

To challenge the totally unacceptable presence of football tragedy abuse, for season 2023/24, regulation changes and tough new measures have been introduced which will see people who are found guilty of offences face stadium bans and criminal prosecution.

This builds on measures to address dangerous and illegal crowd behaviour which were introduced last year and continue through the 2023/24 season including bans and reports to the police for activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects – as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour.

These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences. They have no place in football, or anywhere.

Football should be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone in the stadium whether on the pitch, on the line or in the stands. We thank you for your support this season.

For the full statement issued today by the EFL please click here

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