A football fan from Warrington named Callum Seddon has recently received a four-year football banning order due to his involvement in disorder during the Euros. The 34-year-old appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court following incidents in Germany over the summer. The disorder occurred in Gelsenkirchen before England’s opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia on June 16.
According to police, Seddon was alleged to have contributed to football-related violence or disorder. Reports surfaced of clashes between England and Serbian football fans on the streets of Gelsenkirchen, with disturbing images and videos circulating on social media. German riot police had to intervene to restore order and separate the supporters.
The court documents stated that Seddon’s actions were believed to have caused or contributed to the violence and disorder that took place before the England vs. Serbia fixture. Due to his historical links to Bolton Wanderers Football Club and the incidents in Germany, the court deemed it necessary to impose a football banning order on him for four years.
The banning order restricts Seddon from attending any designated football fixture during this period. He is also prohibited from entering the area around Bolton Wanderers football ground on match days, as well as any town or city in the UK where Bolton Wanderers are playing. Additionally, he is not allowed to enter the boundaries of towns, cities, or parishes in England, Wales, or Scotland where an England senior men’s national team fixture is taking place.
Seddon can only enter these restricted areas during specific times for work, education, community service, court orders, legal appointments, or medical appointments. The order aims to prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with regulated football matches.
Following the tournament, the UK Football Policing Unit commended the majority of England fans for representing the country positively. Out of approximately 240,000 people who traveled to Germany for the Euros, there were 77 arrests. The unit confirmed that 13 football banning orders were issued by the courts, and they are continuing to work on identifying and taking action against a small number of supporters who committed offenses overseas.