A TEENAGER has been banned from attending football matches after he was arrested before Albion played Crystal Palace.

The 16-year-old boy, from Hove, admitted possessing a knuckle duster, lock-knife and a flare, as well as a fake ID.

He was arrested after police approached a group of football supporters in Queens Road, Brighton at 5.30pm on January 14.

When officers went to search the youngster, he tried to run away but was seized and taken into custody.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has now been given a football banning order for three years.

Sussex Police’s dedicated football officer PC Darren Balkham said: “This boy was swiftly arrested by officers before he could cause any harm.

“The football banning order severely restricts his ability to attend football matches both here in the UK and abroad.

“This conviction demonstrates that we will not tolerate public disorder at our football matches and sends a clear message that football supporters and the public do not wish to see violence connected with the game.”

The youngster appeared before Worthing Youth Court on February 3.

He was given a youth referral order, with £40 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.

The weapons, flare, and identity documents were confiscated.

The football banning order forbids the boy’s attendance at a regulated football match, in the UK or abroad, under the football spectators act.

His banning order means he is not allowed to enter the town, city or parish boundary where any England senior men’s team game is played in the United Kingdom for a period of eight hours before kick-off and eight hours after the end of the match.

It also requires him to surrender any travel authorisation document - such as a passport, identity card, or any other form of travel authorisation - in his name.

He must also notify the football banning orders authority of any change in his name or address.

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