Three banned from Jersey and Guernsey FA matches following Muratti violence

Three people have been banned from Jersey and Guernsey FA matches following violence at last month's Muratti.

The trio are all from Guernsey, with Jersey Police warning that criminal proceedings may follow.

After Guernsey won 2-1 at Springfield Stadium on Saturday 16 May, fights broke out, and flares were thrown onto the Springfield Stadium pitch.

Acting Chief Inspector Aiden Quenault, Uniform Operations at States of Jersey Police, said:

"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."

Chief Inspector Adam Parry-Jones, Head of Uniform Operations at Guernsey Police, said:

"The Muratti Vase is one of the most celebrated fixtures in the Channel Islands football calendar, and the vast majority of supporters from both islands were a credit to the occasion. However, the disorder witnessed cannot and will not 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.

"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."

The force is not looking for anyone else in connection with what happened.

The Football Associations in each island have condoned the behaviour of a minority of spectators and acted to prevent them attending any future games.

Tim Pryor, Jersey Football Association CEO, said: 

"This sends out a clear and strong message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated at local football matches.

"The huge majority of the 1,500 people in attendance at the Men’s Muratti Vase final behaved well, enjoyed the occasion and supported their team in the right way. A small minority crossed the line, and they will not be welcome back at Springfield for future Jersey FA representative team matches.

"Our thanks to the authorities for their work on identifying those involved."

Guernsey FA Chief Executive, Gary Roberts, added:

"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.

"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."