Pyro: Football authorities repeat warning around pyro use

This weekend the football authorities, FA, Premier League, EFL and Women’s Super League, are repeating their warnings around the dangers of pyrotechnics at football, reminding fans that anyone found in possession or using pyro faces club bans and will be reported to the police.

It’s not always a popular message but we hear from far too many distraught, young fans who get long club bans and criminal records for taking pyro into stadiums. They didn’t know it was illegal or didn’t think they’d be caught.

No doubt it looks good on TV but it isn’t worth it.

Football Supporters’ Association chief executive Kevin Miles said: “We are contacted by supporters on a fairly regular basis who have been caught jumping on the pitch, or with pyro in the stands, and without exception they regret doing it. Whether they had positive intentions or not is irrelevant in the eyes of the law – pyro and pitch incursions are illegal, you will be prosecuted and you will be banned by your club.”

Fans invited to pyro workshop

As part of that ongoing work to share information and advice, the EFL has commissioned Dr Tom Smith to deliver a one hour workshop for both supporter liaison officers and supporters groups, on the issues surrounding the use of pyrotechnics in football stadia. Dr Smith has previously provided advice and expertise to UEFA in relation to this area.

The workshop will cover the following areas:

• Brief history of the issues
• Pyrotechnics and fireworks – types and effects
• The hazards from pyrotechnics
• Risks to health and safety
• Dealing with lit pyrotechnics
• Question and answers.

The workshop has been arranged online for Thursday 10th November at 6pm hosted on Microsoft Teams.

• Pyro workshop with Dr Tom Smith – join here…