Legal Update - 2 April 2025
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is soon to be held in the United States of America, and as the start date draws closer, despite only a couple of English football clubs qualifying for the tournament, officers and staff should be aware of the Football Spectators (2025 FIFA Club World Cup Control Period) Order 2025.
This Order prescribes the control period for the tournament under the Football Spectators Act 1989 (the Act). The control period begins on 9 June 2025, which is five days before the first match in the tournament and ends when the last match in the tournament is finished or cancelled. The last match is due to be played on 13 July 2025.
During the control period, powers under sections 21A and 21B of the Act (summary measures to detain and refer to a court with a view to making a banning order) are exercisable. Individuals subject to a banning order may be required to surrender their passports during the control period under section 19 of the Act. In addition, bail conditions can be imposed on individuals requiring them to surrender their passports during the control period under section 14A (banning orders made on conviction of an offence) and section 14B (banning orders made on a complaint) of the Act.
