The States of Jersey Police have made clear that behaviour such as entering the field of play, throwing objects such as flares, engaging in threatening or abusive conduct, and acts of violence have no place in football or the wider community and will not be tolerated.
‘Football is a sport that brings people together and the recent Muratti final was an enjoyable family event for the majority of those in attendance.
‘The disorder that was seen as the game ended is entirely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated on or off the pitch.
‘The pan-island investigation between the States of Jersey Police, Guernsey Police, the Jersey FA and the Guernsey FA represents the seriousness with which the involved agencies take this matter and the collaborative action and banning orders reinforce that message,’ said acting chief inspector Aiden Quenault of States of Jersey Police.
The individuals identified have each been issued with notices banning them from attending future Football Association matches in both Jersey and Guernsey. Criminal proceedings may also follow.
‘All genuine football spectators, of whom were the vast majority at the recent Muratti final in Jersey, will have been appalled at the disgraceful behaviour of the small minority involved in the incidents at Springfield, and that sentiment is echoed by the Guernsey Football Association.
‘The behaviour witnessed that day has no place at these matches,’ said Guernsey FA chief executive Gary Roberts.
‘This announcement makes it abundantly clear that behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated and has defined consequences.
‘Those identified as being involved in the incidents at the Muratti final will not be able to attend future Guernsey FA representative matches at Victoria Park, which is a strong message we hope will be appreciated by genuine football spectators and the wider community.’
Chief inspector Adam Parry-Jones, Guernsey Police’s head of uniform operations, reinforced that while the vast majority of supporters were a credit to both islands, incidents like this cannot go unaddressed.
‘The response to these incidents has seen seamless cross-island working between Guernsey Police and the States of Jersey Police, and despite the events occurring in Jersey, Guernsey Police were involved from the outset, supporting the investigation and ensuring that those from our island who crossed the line faced the same consequences as anyone else.
‘That kind of joint working is exactly what the public should expect from their police services, and I am proud of how both forces rose to that,’ he said.
‘The banning orders now in place send a message that extends beyond either island individually, that the Channel Islands policing community operates as one when it comes to protecting public safety and the integrity of sport.’
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