Trio banned from island football after Muratti final disorder

Three men from Guernsey have been barred from attending football matches in both Jersey and Guernsey following disorder at this year’s Muratti Vase final.

The measures were issued after incidents at Springfield Stadium in St Helier in May, where Guernsey defeated Jersey 2–1 in the annual Muratti Vase final.

The States of Jersey Police said the individuals were identified in connection with offences including fighting and the throwing of flares onto the pitch during the match.

In a statement, the force confirmed each person had been served with formal notices banning them from attending future Football Association fixtures across both islands. It added that the trio are currently assisting with inquiries, and that criminal proceedings remain a possibility.

Police reiterated that behaviour such as entering the field of play, throwing objects, or engaging in abusive or violent conduct would not be tolerated at sporting events, describing such actions as unacceptable in both football and the wider community. The force said it had worked jointly with the Guernsey Police, the Jersey Football Association, and the Guernsey Football Association in response to the disorder.

Tim Pryor, chief executive of the Jersey Football Association, said the banning orders sent “a clear and strong message” that such behaviour has no place at local matches. He added that the vast majority of the roughly 1,500 spectators behaved appropriately and that only a small minority disrupted the occasion, who would not be welcome at future fixtures at Springfield Stadium.

Gary Roberts, chief executive of the Guernsey Football Association, said supporters would be “appalled” by the conduct of those involved, stressing that such behaviour had no place at matches, including those held at Victoria Park in St Sampson.

Jersey police Acting Chief Inspector Aiden Quenault described the final as a positive community event for most attendees, but said the disorder was “entirely unacceptable” and would not be tolerated on or off the pitch.

His counterpart in Guernsey, Chief Inspector Adam Parry-Jones, said the banning orders demonstrated a coordinated approach across the islands, adding that policing services were united in protecting public safety and maintaining the integrity of sport.