Football bosses believe drugs are a key reason why hooligans offend at matches, with policing minister Dame Diana Johnson now handing forces extra powers to deter them
Police will gain additional powers to drug test football hooligans under new guidelines aimed at deterring criminal behavior at matches. The move, part of the Plan For Change initiative, allows officers to test individuals for drug use in cases involving violence, pitch invasions, throwing missiles, and racist or tragedy chanting. Convictions for drug offenses at football matches now result in statutory banning orders of three to ten years. Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson emphasized the importance of preventing drug misuse and supporting those affected by addiction. The decision follows concerns about drug and alcohol use driving reckless behavior, as highlighted in an independent review of the 2020 UEFA Euro final. Over 150,000 drug tests on arrest were conducted between 2022 and 2024, with 56% testing positive for cocaine or opiates.
