Increased cocaine use at football games is being blamed for violence

Damning stats show that cocaine use in the terraces is on the rise and it's being directly linked to increased violence.

Members of Parliament were recently informed that some stadium toilets resembled a 'launderette' full of white powder.

Unfortunately, alcohol-fuelled violence has been an issue within football for what seems like years now.

But in recent years, or even months for that matter, questions are being asked about what other substances are sparking disorder in the stands.

Alamy

Peter Houghton, who is the head of operations for the Football Safety Officers Association, said: “It's coming home from all aspects of sport that there has been an increase in cocaine use.

“A friend of mine who works at Cambridge United said that when he checked the toilets after a match it looked like a launderette - there was so much powder there.

“Violence at football has always been synonymous with alcohol but it is becoming abundantly clear it's not just a football issue and affecting different sports.

“Now you are not just pointing the finger at alcohol users but are also able to point the finger at drug users.

“It is clear that one or two of those people in the video have been using drugs and are not drunk.”

After shameful scenes at the European Championships Final at Wembley last year, whereby fans stormed the stadium and violence broke out on the streets, police were called into action to crack down on alcohol and drug use on matchdays.

At the time, football policing lead Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: "While there are many reasons for this, the use of cocaine is a contributory factor and one which needs to be addressed. Recent operations have identified widespread cocaine use both around stadiums [and] on the rail network as supporters travel to games."

Speaking more recently about the spike Roberts added: “It is not just the UK - we are seeing considerable increase in disorder across Europe after the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

“We are not anywhere near where we were in the 80s and we need to keep context on things. This is worrying but we are not back as bad as it was.

“Cocaine is certainly a contributing factor to violence in the night-time economy and football. Football is a reflection of wider society.

“There is clearly an element of organised gangs who set out and wish to engage in violence. It is an unwelcome re-emergence.

“The concern is that we have younger people involved in this. The concern is that if younger people become involved in it then it is a problem for the next 30 years until we take some remedial action.”