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News has emerged that West Midlands Police are planning to use mobile fingerprint scanning units to identify hooligans with banning orders as part of ‘Project Lantern’. The devices allow police to scan fingerprints and cross-check with their database to see if those stopped are subject to orders preventing them from attending matches.

The Football Supporters’ Federation is delighted to announce we have teamed up with the civil rights organisation Liberty to fight for the rights of football fans who have been unjustly detained under Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act.

Section 27 legislation allows police to move someone from a specified area for a period of up to 48 hours. No offence needs to have been committed for the act to be enforced: the legislation gives police the power to move on people who they say pose a risk of alcohol-related disorder.

We’re absolutely delighted that Liberty have recognised that the use of Section 27 is totally inappropriate and breaches the basic civil liberties of football fans. With them, we plan to take this issue to court and set a precedent – Section 27 was never designed to police football fans, and it never should be.

At present there’s very little you can do – which is why it is absolutely vital that this campaign succeeds. If you refuse to abide by the conditions of a Section 27, police can then arrest you.

In that case, we want to hear from you. If you’ve had a Section 27 served on you and had given police no reason to think you would be involved in alcohol related disorder, fill in our online form and email it to us. We will treat your information in the strictest confidence, and will not pass anything on to the police.

Last month we reported on the case of Stoke City fans who, prior to their club’s fixture with Manchester United at Old Trafford, found themselves forcibly taken back to Stoke under threat of arrest. The police were able to take this action due to Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006.

The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) Northeast Division has published a unique report into policing and stewarding at last month’s Wear-Tyne derby, which voices the concerns of match-going fans. The scheme was repeated at Saturday’s Tees-Tyne derby, which ended in a goalless draw at the Riverside, and will take place at all the North East’s top-flight derby matches.

Pompey fans heading to Germany for their team’s UEFA Cup tie with Wolfsburg can make the most of their trip with Away Goals – Euro Chimes which contains information, advice, and entertainment for the club’s traveling support.

Figures released by the Home Office this week prove what the Football Supporters’ Federation have been arguing for years – there is absolutely no need to treat football fans as criminals.

Frightening new police powers have emerged following the shocking treatment of Stoke City fans prior to their team’s away fixture with Manchester United last Saturday, November 15, 2008.

It’s still not too late to get involved with the FARE European Action Week against Racism in Football which runs until Tuesday, October 28, 2008. The Europe-wide campaign has also seen domestic action from Kick It Out and Show Racism The Red Card.

Stoke City have announced the Away Card system for their travelling supporters is to be suspended.

UEFA have temporarily lifted the ban which would have seen Atletico Madrid forced to play Champions League games away from their home stadium, the Vicente Calderon.

UEFA have announced Atletico Madrid’s next two Champions League home games must be played at a neutral venue, meaning Liverpool’s tie in eight days is to be moved – to an as yet unconfirmed venue.

The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) offers its whole-hearted support to Chelsea fan Cliff Auger following today’s West London Courthouse decision to find him guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following Cliff’s actions to protect his own son.

Fan power has forced Premier League club Reading into a u-turn over the proposed trial introduction of drug sniffer dogs at home fixtures.