Brighton man handed three-year football banning order following repeated antisocial behaviour

A 20-year-old man from Brighton has been handed a three-year Football Banning Order following a series of incidents involving antisocial behaviour and disorder linked to football matches.

Ellis Bonner, of Ringmer Close, Brighton, was made subject to the order at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 21 October following an application by Sussex Police.

The order was not linked to a conviction for a specific offence but followed months of intelligence gathering by officers investigating incidents involving football supporters.

Police say Bonner was involved in several incidents throughout 2026, including confrontations with rival fans, abusive chanting and throwing an object at a supporter.

On 10 January, he was part of a group involved in antisocial behaviour, inappropriate chanting and train fare evasion when Worthing FC travelled to Salisbury.

On 8 February, he shouted obscenities at visiting supporters following Brighton and Hove Albion's home fixture against Crystal Palace, despite not having an official ticket for the match.

Further incidents included goading Milton Keynes supporters during a match against Barnet on 21 March and throwing a can at a fan following Worthing's away fixture against Enfield Town on 28 March.

Sussex Police say these incidents formed part of a wider pattern of behaviour which prompted officers to seek restrictions on Bonner's attendance at football-related events.

Dedicated football officer PC Sam Smith said:

"These are just a small number of examples of incidents Bonner has been involved in since the start of 2026. It is clear he plays an influential role in groups who actively seek to confront, goad and engage in verbal or physical violence against other fans.

"This sort of behaviour causes a significant strain on emergency services resources, and it also affects local communities including businesses and the public. It also damages the reputation of genuine football fans who simply wish to attend matches to support their team.

"We applied for a Football Banning Order against Bonner to prevent him from engaging in violence and disorder, and to help send a message to others that this behaviour will not be tolerated."

The Football Banning Order will remain in place for three years and includes restrictions preventing Bonner from entering certain towns and areas around football stadiums on matchdays.

Under the conditions, he is prohibited from entering Worthing town centre or the area surrounding the Sussex Transport Community Stadium in Woodside Road on weekends when Worthing FC play at home. The restrictions apply from four hours before kick-off until six hours after the match finishes.

Similar restrictions apply to Barnet and the area surrounding the Hive Stadium in London when Barnet FC have weekend home fixtures.

Bonner is also banned from entering any town or city in the UK where Worthing FC or Barnet FC are playing, from four hours before kick-off until four hours after the match ends.

Further restrictions apply to England senior men's international fixtures, preventing him from entering the host town or city from eight hours before kick-off until eight hours after the conclusion of the game.

The order also includes restrictions covering regulated international matches during the European Championships in 2028.

For qualifying fixtures in England, Wales or Scotland where none of those three nations is playing, Bonner must remain at least three miles from the stadium's centre spot, from four hours before kick-off until six hours after the match.

Sussex Police say the order is intended to prevent further football-related disorder and protect supporters, local businesses and communities from antisocial behaviour.

Officers have reiterated that violence, intimidation and disorder linked to football will not be tolerated.

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