Football Banning Order for lifelong Manchester City Fan

A man has received a three year football banning order after throwing a lit smoke flare onto the playing area at the Etihad stadium.

Phillip Maxwell, 22, a lifelong Manchester City supporter, was sentenced today at Manchester City Magistrates Court to a £1440 fine and a three year football banning order, after pleading guilty to throwing a flare towards the playing area at a regulated football match.

The Manchester City v Ashton Villa fixture on the 22 May 2022 was the last game of the 2021/22 Premier League football season where a win for the home team would secure the Premier League title.

At approximately 5.30pm, Manchester City scored a second goal. As the goal was scored, Maxwell was seen by a police officer to light and throw as smoke flare onto the playing area.

The flare went across the heads of supporters and stewards before reaching the playing area.

Maxwell admitted the offence in interview, after seeing the video footage captured at the event.

Kerry Grieve, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Maxwell‘s actions were thoughtless and selfish.

"Flares create a risk to the safety of players and spectators. On this occasion, thankfully nobody was hurt but we have seen many times the consequences of flares at football matches and we must root out those who jeopardise the safety of others.

“The CPS are committed to taking a robust stance towards tackling football related disorder as we continue to play a crucial role in making sports such as football inclusive and safe to watch.”

The CPS is also currently working with the football clubs, player bodies and organisations, like the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association to explain what evidence is required to charge to help clubs and the leagues protect their players by ensuring we have all the evidence we need to build the strongest case possible.

Douglas Mackay, CPS Sports Lead Prosecutor and Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Midlands said: Over recent years and months there has been a significant rise in football-related criminality compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the CPS, we play a crucial role in tackling these crimes and making our national sport inclusive, safe to watch and play in. There is no place for violent criminal acts in football, and incidents such as these has a significant impact on victims."