What is the law governing smoke bombs and flares at football matches?
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985.
It is on offence for a person to enter or attempt to enter a football ground while in possession of a flare,
smoke bomb or firework. The sentence for these offences can be as much as three months in prison,
and in many cases, fans who have no previous convictions are being given prison sentences for
attempting to enter a football ground with a smoke bomb in their pocket as the courts take these
offences very seriously.
There are two different offences (1) possession in the football ground; and (2) possession while
attempting to enter. Although logically, attempting to enter a football ground seems to be less
culpable than a fan who has managed to get the smoke bomb, flare or firework into the football
ground, in real terms the courts do not consider one offence to be more serious than the other. Fans
searched prior to entering the football ground and found to be in possession of a firework, flare or
smoke bomb, have still been given custodial sentences.