Domestic Abuse and Football

As the dust settles on England’s abject Atlanta ejection, I expect most people will consider this World Cup to have been a broadly successful event (final half-time show aside: Rooney had it right when he described his favourite moment as when it ended). 

The stadiums were spectacular, full to the rafters, games produced moments of magic, the superstars knew their lines and came to play. 

However, look beyond the nationwide euphoria of a World Cup Semi-Final and you will find that England playing in international tournaments brings a dread and darkness to so many households up and down the country. 

Domestic abuse rises by 26% when England play; this increases to 38% when they lose (research by Lancaster University). 

During Euro 2024 more than 300 domestic abuse offences linked to the football were reported to the police. This awful number increased again during the World Cup with 384 such incidents being reported, recently published statistics show. 

The highest number of incidents occurred during the England v Norway game, when the pubs were permitted to open until 2am. 

Victims and survivors may find support in Family Law practitioners. There are a number of legal protections available for people who find themselves impacted by this appalling behaviour. 

Here is a short summary of the two main options:

1. Non-Molestation Order

   NMOs prevents a perpetrator from molesting the applicant. Molestation in this context is a broad term which includes any behaviour which harms or harasses the applicant whether directly (e.g. physical or verbal abuse) or indirectly (e.g. social media posts). It may cover any behaviour which is serious enough to warrant judicial intervention and protection. Breaching a NMO is an arrestable offence. 

2. Occupation Order

   OOs protect the applicant by regulating the perpetrator’s occupation of a home. The property must be or have been occupied by the parties as their home. There are different procedural routes depending on whether the applicant has a legal right to occupy the property. The court will balance the harm to the applicant if the order is not made against the harm to the respondent if the order is made. If this test is not made out, the court may still make the order on an analysis of all the circumstances including the housing needs and resources of the parties and any children, financial resources and conduct of the parties. A power of arrest may be attached to such an order. 

Both orders can be applied for quickly and without notice to the perpetrator. 

If the perpetrator attends any hearings, which are usually to review whether the orders should remain in place and if so, for how long, special measures can be put in place to protect the applicant in court. This may include separate waiting rooms and screens in the court room. 

These orders can work alongside any criminal proceedings if the perpetrator has committed a criminal offence. For example, the injunctive orders may act as a further layer of protection in combination with bail conditions. 

The police should always be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Family Law practitioners also stand ready and able to assist those in need, and the courts have wide powers at their disposal.