Posted on 7th August 2025
FSA statement: Police use of DNA spray at the match
Following news reports this week that Cheshire Police plan to expand their use of DNA spray technology during their football policing operations, chief executive of the FSA Kevin Miles issued the following statement:
“We have serious concerns about police forces deploying largely unproven technologies against matchgoing fans.
“Misuse or inconsiderate deployment of DNA spray by officers could see innocent bystanders caught up in criminal justice procedures in which they have no reason to be entangled.
“The arrest stats continue to show that football is an overwhelmingly safe activity – with just 5.5 arrests per 100,000 spectators last year. So we have to ask: is this necessary and is this proportionate?
“What is particularly disappointing to us – at a time when Government has legislated to ensure fans have a voice in the game – is the total absence of consultation by the police.”
