Ex-FIFA official: Nottingham Forest may be forced into ‘big’ pay-out amid courtroom twist
Keith Hackett has insisted Nottingham Forest and other top English sides may have to fork out for additional policing amid continued budget cuts from the Home Office.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee cited crowd trouble at the City Ground earlier this year – one of the most dangerous cases of football violence in recent memory.
According to The Athletic (22 December), the UK Football Policing Unit has had its budget significantly cut over the last eight years despite a rising number of incidents involving fans.
The UKPU budget has fallen 34% since the 2016-17 season – despite the 2021-22 season seeing the highest number of arrests in almost ten years.
This news comes after Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie was cleared of assault in court earlier this month (15 December) after Nottingham Forest fans invaded the pitch after their playoff semi-final win this year.
Blades striker Billy Sharp was headbutted by a Forest season-ticket holder after the invasion, with his attacker jailed for 24 weeks.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “You’ve only got to look at last season and the incidents at the Nottingham Forest playoff game.
“Fortunately the player was found not guilty.
“Fans have to stay off the pitch, and that is the responsibility of the home club.
“I know we’ve got trained stewards – but either there isn’t enough, or they just haven’t got the policing skills.
“I think it’s a very vulnerable area. Clubs have got to re-visit this now and decide that the ability to keep fans, players and referees safe is the most important thing.
“They’ve got to review it, and I think they will after this Nottingham Forest debacle – even if the clubs have to put their hands in their pockets.
“They can have vans outside; they can bring in a number of measures. It’s a big cost, but they need to pay it.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire issues £10m Nottingham Forest windfall claim as deal agreed.