Bristol City supporters receive banning orders in Covid-hit season

Several Bristol City supporters were banned from games last season - despite Covid restrictions limiting attendances.

Six fans of the Robins were slapped with six banning orders in the 2020/21 season, Home Office statistics show.

Of those banned, three were aged between 35 and 49. Two were aged between 18 and 34, and one was aged between 50 and 64.

No Bristol Rovers fans received banning orders during the season.

Across England and Wales, Birmingham City saw the highest number of supporters banned, 27, followed by Brentford and Charlton Athletic, both 20.

The data, published on October 14, showed the total number of banning orders handed out was 208.

Banning Orders are a measure imposed by a court following a football-related offence.

It aims to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection, with regulated football matches.

They can last for up to 10 years if immediate imprisonment is imposed and must be for at least six years.

If no immediate imprisonment is ordered, the maximum is five years and the minimum three years.

The 2020/21 season started on September 12, following a mere seven-week break after the 2019/20 season, which was disrupted by the pandemic.

Many fixtures last season saw no fans in attendance.

Fans were only allowed to return to watch live sport in England without any restrictions from July 19 this year, after social distancing rules were scrapped.