Leicestershire Police will claim back £16,500 – which will be reinvested back into preventing and tackling crime – after 15 fans were given football banning orders totalling 70 years.
An investigation into disorder before Leicester City’s UEFA Europa League match against Napoli in September 2021 identified 17 offenders.
All were charged with various offences – with 15 being convicted and two subsequently found to have no case to answer. One man was given a suspended custodial sentence, while others were ordered to undertake unpaid work and pay fines.
Twelve fans are subject to a five-year football banning order, one fan was banned for four years and two were given three-year bans.
As a result of charges being made, the force was able to request money from the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU).
Chief Inspector Dan Pedley, who was match commander for the game against Napoli, said: “All those who have received banning orders were found to have been involved in disorder prior to kick off.
“We have a robust policing operation in force for each game, but unfortunately there are occasionally pockets of supporters who are out to cause trouble. I’m pleased that following a thorough investigation, those involved are facing the consequences of their actions.”
PC Dave Stevens, the force’s dedicated football officer, added: “Those who have been given banning orders are known risk supporters, so the fact they’re now excluded from causing further harm for the next few years is extremely beneficial to our football operations.”