English leagues announce tougher sanctions on the use of flares, smoke bombs & Entering the pitch

England’s Premier League and Football League have announced tough new sanctions for pitch invasions and the use of smoke bombs and pyrotechnics. Last season saw an increasing number of pitch invasions at the end of the season with fans celebrating titles, promotions, or survival. Several altercations took place on the field, including one involving Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, while Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was attacked by a fan after a playoff defeat at Nottingham Forest. Smoke bombs and pyrotechnics, which have long been used at games in continental Europe and elsewhere in the world, used to be relatively rare in England but their use has become a more regular occurance.
The leagues and the Football Association said that from the start of the new season "all identified offenders will be reported by clubs to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record, which may affect their employment and education, and could result in a prison sentence." "Furthermore, anyone who enters the pitch and those identified carrying or using pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will now receive an automatic club ban. These bans could also be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who take part in these activities," the statement said.
The English Premier League and the English Football Club Association have announced tough new penalties to tackle the invasion of stadiums and the use of smoke bombs and fireworks.