The Football Supporters Federation are working to get compensation for the Leeds supporters who were served with a Section 27 at the Sedge Lynn pub in Chorlton before the FA Cup game against Manchester United in January. They believe the section 27 was used illegally by the police.
Section 27 orders allow police to ban people from an area for up to 48 hours if they fear a risk of alcohol-related crime or disorder, and on that day the Police used these powers to take an estimated 130 Leeds fans straight back to Leeds, without allowing them to go to Old Trafford for the match. But the FSF believe that at least some of the fans involved were treated unfairly, and they are prepared to back those fans if they wish to take legal action against the police.
The Greater Manchester Police have already had to pay a total of £200,000 compensation to a group of Stoke fans who were rounded up at a pub in Irlam, and they admitted than on that occasion their officers had acted ‘erroneously’. But Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan has told the Manchester Evening News that this time the police action was ‘necessary’. "In order to prevent disorder and keep communities safe, Section 27 orders were issued on a number of individuals from the Leeds area, each of whom were identified as a risk due to the level of alcohol consumption and the fact they did not have a match ticket."
But the FSF have a solicitor very interested in taking on cases against GMP, and Martin O’Hara, vice chair of the FSF’s Yorkshire division, is urging anyone served with a notice in Manchester in January to get in touch, if they haven’t already done so. “You may be entitled to compensation. NO information will be passed to the police by the FSF. It is VERY, VERY unlikely you will have to appear in court. The solicitors will deal by way of correspondence. Dependent on your circumstances, it will NOT necessarily cost you anything.
If you do have a case your details will NOT be passed to ordinary officers. You will NOT be hassled by the police for taking action. Taking action will NOT mean the police apply for a banning order against you. You have NOTHING to lose. At this stage, all we need from you is your name and contact details. We do have a questionnaire and it would be helpful if you completed this but it is NOT essential”.
If would you like to speak to the FSF about the possibility of taking action legal against the police, please contact Martin O'Hara in complete confidence and with no obligation.
You can contact Martin by sending an e-mail to martin.ohara@fsf.org.uk or by phoning 0330 44 000 44.