West Ham United fans have more football banning orders than those of any other club in England and Wales, new figures reveal. A new interactive map shows how many banning orders are in place at football clubs across the country, with some London clubs banning scores of fans.
Recent Home Office figures revealed the number of football banning orders in force, alongside the number of football-related arrests recorded during the 2024-25 season.
The data shows there were 112 banning orders in force against West Ham United supporters as of June 1 – the highest number in England and Wales. Of the bans, 39 were issued in the most recent season. Banning orders prevent individuals from attending matches in the UK and individuals subject to orders can be ordered to hand over their passports to police before overseas matches and tournaments.
Across England and Wales, a total of 2,439 banning orders were in force as of last month. It was an increase of 12 per cent compared with the end of the previous season, and the highest number in force since the end of the 2012-13 season.
Meanwhile, 1,932 football-related arrests were recorded in the 2024-25 season – an 11 per cent fall from the previous year. It was the first drop since fans returned to stadiums after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last season, 77 arrests were of West Ham United supporters. Manchester United had the highest number of supporters arrested, with 121 arrests. The figures also show the most common incident reported was hate crime – reported at 420 matches. It included hate crime incidents at six women’s matches.
It comes as England defender Jess Carter revealed she has been the target of “a lot of racial abuse” during Euro 2025. In a post on X, she said she would be taking a step back from social media. She added: “Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that other won’t have to deal with it.”
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said his organisation “immediately contacted UK police” as soon as it was made aware of the abuse.
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said in a statement: “Hate crime continues to be a blight on football and, although there have been significant strides to make football more welcoming, these figures show that football cannot be complacent and needs to double down on its efforts to ensure everyone feels safe at matches. As we have seen in recent incidents over the past week, racism is still a huge issue as players continue to be targeted.”
They added: “Homophobic chanting is a regular occurrence, while incidents related to faith, disability and transphobia continue to be reported to Kick It Out, too. We also know about the prevalence of sexist behaviour, with our own research showing that over half of women have experienced it on matchdays.”
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “Police up and down the country work incredibly hard to ensure football stadiums are safe, so we can all enjoy our national game. Today’s statistics show that these efforts are paying off and strong action is being taken to stop violence and disorder from ruining football.”
She added: “As part of our Plan for Change, we are continuing to make football safer for the millions of dedicated fans, funding the UK Football Policing Unit and expanding drug testing on arrest at football matches for certain offences.”
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