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Pitch invasions and pyrotechnics: how can football control its fans?

Why are fans misbehaving and what can the game do to keep players and stewards safe?

From the crowd trouble at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final to attacks on players during end-of-season pitch invasions, fan disorder has been a constant theme this season. So what are the causes of the unrest and what can be done to ensure we don’t see similar scenes next season?

We hear from Maheta Molango, CEO of the Professional Footballers’ Association, who is calling for rapid action before a player is seriously injured, and England manager Gareth Southgate.

Peter Houghton, director of operations at the Football Safety Officers’ Association, joins the panel to explain the challenges facing stewards and police and Michael Brunskill from the Football Supporters’ Association calls for more education on the laws around pitch invasions.

Panel: Jane Dougall, Laura Scott, Nesta McGregor, Peter Houghton

Producer: Sam Sheringham

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40 minutes

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