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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

Interested in contributing to Public Law as Co-Editor of the journal's 'current survey' section and member of the journal's editorial committee? Then look👇

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 18h

It's absolutely staggering that any police force dealing with public disorder involving children could consider stun grenades and rubber bullets to be appropriate tactics. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...

theguardian.com

Schoolboy, 15, loses hand after picking up police stun grenade during French school protests

Prime minister orders ministers to tackle students’ five major demands, including organising replacement teachers and school repairs

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Things that are terrorism: chucking paint, holding placards. Things that aren't: blowing up national infrastructure with homemade bombs.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I guess we're talking about potential bans from football for named individuals. Will be interesting to see if anyone breaks ranks between now and the EPL appeal/sanctions decision to try and get a personal punishment mitigated.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

...seems an appropriate and proportionate sanction (I guess the earlier titles would be more at risk). It's also a sanction that avoids the pitfalls related to expulsion. Whether the panel considers that option is another matter - it's not something that commentators seem to be talking about.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thanks for the detailed answer. Iirc the Juve scandal needed an allocation of first place for European qualification (they gave it Inter?). I don't think handing titles to second placed teams works. But removal of any titles where it is proven (BoP) they wouldn't have won them without the breach...

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thanks, that's a great explainer. You point out that the EPL has a non exhaustive list of potential sanctions but don't mention any likelihood of the stripping of titles. Is this because you don't think it's likely, it's unprecedented elsewhere, or is there something in the rules precluding it?

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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

Football Law @footballlaw.co.uk · 02/10/2026

Points deduction? Relegation? Expulsion? All but one of the charges against Manchester City have been proved. Football Law’s latest article explains what the Premier League Commission found and, perhaps more importantly, what could happen next. #MCFC #PL www.footballlaw.co.uk/articles/-ma...

footballlaw.co.uk

Sham City — Football Law

On 29 September 2026, the Premier League announced that a PL Commission had found all but one of the charges against Manchester City proved. This article explains the PL Commission’s findings and cons...

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's been a while since I've looked at this so I may have missed something. Does this reflect the judgment in Stretford v FA that the outcome of even 'forced' arbitration will be binding so long as the process follows Arbitration Act minimum standards?

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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

Football Law @footballlaw.co.uk · 02/10/2026

Happy Manchester City Appeal Announcement Day! (I know nothing, but I think we’re all anticipating it.) PL Rules, r. W.86 provides Standard Appeal Directions that would ordinarily see, inter alia, an appeal concluded within 12 weeks of being made. However, those directions can be varied (W.85).

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

There's a fine line between an organisation being held liable for so many allegations of financial irregularity (and trying to mislead the investigation), and individuals in that organisation being criminally investigated for fraud. www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...

telegraph.co.uk

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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Maybe a bit early to discuss the process whatever the outcome may be here. But Man City investigation started in 2018. The club was charged more than 3 years ago. In that time, the team has continued unmolested, recruiting at incredible fees, winning at great frequency. The PL still can’t comment.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

While I'm sure these are all individually deserving of the appointment, there's something quite striking about this line up in this day and age.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Spotter's badge, Lewis. Interesting on a number of levels.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

And the 'alcohol in stands' issue is only half the issue. The 'no alcohol on football specials' may cause more problems. An evidence-based evaluation of the whole statute is needed. This is a 2011 paper but I've yet to see any peer-reviewed research challenging it. www.academia.edu/9088741/On_t...

academia.edu

'On the Lash: Revisiting the Effectiveness of Alcohol Controls at Football Matches

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Disappointed this wasn't a policy announcement. The problem with football's alcohol ban isn't that it's 'discriminatory', it's that it is ineffective at reducing alcohol related disorder and that it more likely increases, rather than reduces, risks to public safety. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Burnham brands ban on football fans drinking alcohol in stands as 'discrimination'

The prime minister opposes the law - in place since 1985 - and believes there is a case to remove it.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Sorry to be boring but it's the San Siro (and better for Inter than Milan due to the location of the away end when I went). But there's just something about Italian grounds and I loved the San Paolo, Olympico, and the Marassi. I am also the only person who seems to have liked the Delle Alpi.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

His views on HE today were equally clueless. And that's before I get on to the damage he's doing to my local football team.

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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

lucindasoon @lucindasoon.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Socio-legal academics, postgraduate researchers, early career researchers: the Society of Legal Scholars and @lawatleeds.bsky.social invite abstract submissions for a one-day workshop focused on developing research on the legal profession. All disciplines welcome. Deadline 18 Nov. Pls share. Thanks!

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Speaking as a United season ticket holder, I can confirm that we all lost confidence in Jim Ratcliffe quite a while ago.

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Reposted by Geoff Pearson

Jason Reid @jasonreiduk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The first Orangeman to back a united Ireland.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

They don't have to be proscribed, they just have to have committed offences that outweigh their human rights protections (as I would argue happened in the Portsmouth protests).

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Speaking in my professional capacity, yes it would probably be unlawful. And the more you chip away at protest rights for the far right, the more you chip away at them for everyone else.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The ECHR definition of expression encapsulates pretty much everything that is an idea or opinion (however daft). And of course many public operations operations chose *not* to arrest people holding Palestine Action placards.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I'd need to know more information about the timings and roads blocked, but suspect MPS would have taken a different approach. On PA, it's noticeable that different forces have taken very different approaches - so applying the same proportionality test but getting different results.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

That's not my experience of how Public Order Commanders approach situations like this. Violent intent leads to more oppressive policing, notwithstanding the requirements of commanders to consider risks to officers and the public of escalating violence from interventions seen as disproportionate.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's largely irrelevant though as the human rights protection is not limited to protest, it applies to any peaceful assembly and meaningful form of expression. Although I suspect that the Dover gathering would fall under any definition of protest, which would have to be drawn widely to be meaningful

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The most relevant offences under the POA2023 for this situation (obstructing infrastructure) DO contain reasonable excuse clauses. So Ziegler does apply.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It will be interesting to see how the police response develops to repeated assemblies by this group. There are operational (and I argue legal) reasons why public order conditions, disperals, and arrests are more likely at repeated gatherings. inews.co.uk/news/no-mask...

inews.co.uk

No-mask zones and face scanning: Inside the operation to derail small-boats demos

Police have been told they are expected to make full use of their powers to stop protesters wearing face coverings following disturbances in Dover and Portsmouth

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Spot on as ever David. Notwithstanding that, I do think there needs to be a conversation specifically about face coverings and the extent to which banning them (as a POA condition) is proportionate vs the potential chilling effect (particularly in the age of Facial Recognition Tech).

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

None of the new powers overrule the obligation of the police under HRA s.6 to protect free assembly and expression. Having the legal power to restrict a freedom is only the first stage in a proportionality assessment that must also consider ECHR legitimate objectives, suitability & necessity.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

But also laws protecting peaceful assembly. I suspect the Dover protest was deemed peaceful & that arrests would be a disproportionate interference with Art.10/11 (as Police Scotland & other forces did re Palestine Action' protests). We don't get to pick and choose who gets human rights protections.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Why did the influencers Man City want have to be male. And have neither they nor this marketing company heard of sex discrimination (I believe this kind of advert has been unlawful for about 50 years)? www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/manches...

prolificnorth.co.uk

Manchester City sack PHD following influencer ad embarrassment - Prolific North

Manchester City have sacked PHD Manchester after being ridiculed for an advert that appealed for social media influencers to showcase "the electrifying atmosphere” at the Etihad Stadium on Champions L...

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

"Immediately the crowd respectfully accepted that, called for calm and asked the rest of them to leave now." "Respectfully"? Bloody hell.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Yes I did find the report uncritical. And also don't know why it kept referring to 'spotters'. Obviously there are also questions to be asked about LFR.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A huge amount of effort, from police, the CoP, & academics has gone into the slow, quiet revolution in football policing in this country. It's not perfect, & things would be simpler without the alcohol prohibitions, but it's a real success story for UK policing. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.com

‘Safety, security and service’: behind the scenes with police at Arsenal v Chelsea

Facial recognition and spotters part of operation at Emirates that involved dozen incidents and two arrests

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I also recommend purchasing their excellent Christmas cards to send to any racist relatives you may have, during the season of goodwill.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I'm not sure that there is a sufficiently clear distinction given how the protest yesterday manifested. Certainly not sufficient to justify tearing up the guidance on policing disruptive protest. Next time they do it you can guarantee no balaclava conditions and arrests for s7 POA2023.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

They've never used that for Black Bloc or Million Mask March protests. Essentially what happened yesterday was the right using protest tactics more typically used by some radical left groups.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Conditions can be applied by the police is to ban face coverings under certain circumstances. But obviously can't be put in place unless they are aware it is happening and the legal tests are met.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Arrests for offences like blocking national infrastructure, when they interfere with peaceful assembly, must be proportionate. It depends very much on the exact circumstances of the case. But there is inconsistency (eg the contrasting approaches to the PA protests between MPS and Police Scotland).

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

But many protests on both the left and right of the political spectrum use exactly these tactics. Peaceful assembly, even where it is unlawful, is still protected by the ECHR and Human Rights Act, and the police are obligated to defend rights as well as uphold the law.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

However, there is a greater likelihood that police action after the event will take place because it interferes less with Art.10/11 human rights (although it may still have a chilling effect on future protests).

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Standard POPS practice is that peaceful assembly, even if disruptive and breaching criminal laws, should be protected as far as possible. And there tends to me much more leeway for the first gathering, with conditions applied to future assemblies and a greater likelihood of arrests.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I'll make myself unpopular now, but peaceful assembly, even if disruptive and unlawful, and even if being carried out by horrible people, is a human right and the police are obligated to protect it. The failure to do so in some other high profile cases does not change this legal position.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This afternoon at #sls2026 I'll be presenting the findings of my upcoming monograph with @hartpublishing.bsky.social on policing and human rights. It's a big lecture theatre so please come along and support me!

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

St Cuthbert's gonna lose his sh!t when he hears this.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Not my area of expertise I'm afraid, but more generally civil preventative orders tend to be very flexible when it comes to what conditions are permitted.

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Geoff Pearson @profgeoffpearson.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Increasingly my favourite day of the month! Will be gutted when you finish Chronicles so can you drag it out a bit more please?

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