INSIDE SPORT: How the matchday experience for sports fans could be about to change – as new law receives Royal Assent
The matchday experience for sports fans could soon be about to change forever on the back of incoming legislation aimed at preventing terrorist attacks.
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent earlier this month and is due to come into force within the next two years. With a number of expected new measures to tighten security and increase safety, it could well lead to an earlier start for supporters across the country.
Named in tribute to one of the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack, what is an important piece of legislation will demand that clubs comply with a host of ramped-up requirements.
In the world of football, the Premier League and EFL are already understood to be working with their members and will do so until the Act becomes law.
Both will raise any issues with the Home Office. One potential problem which has already been flagged could be an increase in operational costs for those already in financial strife.
Under the Act, any venue which hosts more than 800 will be deemed an ‘enhanced duty’ premises and is likely to be subject to more stringent security measures such as increased ticket and bag checks.
The matchday experience for sports fans could soon be about to change forever on the back of incoming legislation
Under the Act, any venue which hosts more than 800 will be deemed an ‘enhanced duty’ premises
Legislation is named after Martyn Hett, one of 22 killed when a suicide bomber struck at a concert at Manchester Arena in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray (right) , has led the campaign
Some believe fans will have to get to grounds earlier and may face longer waits to get in – although insiders have insisted that it is too early to comment on the effect of potential changes.
The Home Office says the intention of Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is to ‘improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack’.
The legislation is named after Martyn Hett, one of 22 killed when a suicide bomber struck at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, has led the campaign.
Carabao Cup changes
From next season players will be able to turn out for two clubs in the Carabao Cup. Inside Sport can reveal that the EFL has approved the move on the back of changes to FA Cup rules this year. The only exception would be that a player would not be able to play for two different clubs in the semi-final (necessary because the gap between first and second legs can include part of the winter transfer window).
Inside Sport can reveal that the EFL has approved the move on the back of changes to FA Cup rules this year
USA Track and Field’s cash issues
One to watch ahead of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, three years from now.
According to the Wall Street Journal, USA Track and Field recorded a total deficit of more than $12m in 2022 and 2023, has recently laid off a number of highly-paid employees and in certain instances has taken six months to pay out prize money to athletes.
The outfit is incredibly successful – taking home 34 medals including 14 golds from Paris – and is aiming for an even higher haul on home turf. ‘We can only imagine what will happen if their finances pick up,’ said one UK-based insider.
According to the Wall Street Journal, USA Track and Field recorded a total deficit of more than $12m in 2022 and 2023
The outfit is incredibly successful – taking home 34 medals including 14 golds from Paris
USA Football
American football now has a national governing body. USA Football, which has the backing of the NFL, was last week certified by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee ahead of the arrival of flag football at LA 28. The body will oversee all aspects of the non-contact sport around the country’s national men’s and women’s teams who, one would expect, would be an almost-certainty for golds in California.
Lincoln City’s foundation stepped after the closure of two leisure centres in the city was set to leave thousands without facilities.
Giants of the community
Fair play to Lincoln City. The community-conscious Imps have stepped in after the closure of two leisure centres in the city was set to leave thousands without facilities.
As a result of an intervention from the club’s Foundation, outdoor facilities at both sites have now initially partially-reopened. Club workers will co-ordinate bookings, facilities management and maintenance on behalf of their local authority as a new operator is sought.
