On Easter Monday, Burnley secured promotion to the Premier League in front of their fans at Turf Moor after a memorable victory over Sheffield United.
With emotions running high after the full-time whistle, Burnley supporters inside the stadium decided to invade the pitch at Turf Moor in scenes that are far from uncommon in the English Football League when teams win promotion or avoid relegation.
However, the club have since released a statement condemning supporters for invading the pitch and revealed that some of them had caused damage to the stadium.
Burnley to fine and ban fans for pitch invasion
As part of the statement, Burnley said that there had been ‘costly damage' to the LED advertising boards that run around the perimeter of the pitch and that they are now working with authorities to identify the fans who caused the damage so that they can charge them for the damage.
On top of that, the club have confirmed that anyone they can identify on CCTV who entered the field of play will be given a stadium ban and potentially handed over to the police.
One fan has already been arrested for pitch encroachment and breaching a Football Banning Order, and he will appear in court on 16 May. Two other fans have also already been identified – one who entered the pitch with a flare and another who was seen swearing at Chris Wilder on camera.
Club Chairman, Alan Pace, said:
“Alongside the FA investigation, we are also looking into what happened at the final whistle, and we are taking our own course as needed to make sure that the individuals involved face the appropriate sanctions. I want to make this clear, this includes identifying the fans who committed the damage to recover all costs incurred directly from them.”
Burnley Football Club wish to express our disappointment with the actions of a minority of fans who invaded the pitch following Easter Monday’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
— Burnley FC (P) (@BurnleyOfficial) April 25, 2025
FGG says: More soul ripped from the stands
A football club threatening to ban football supporters for celebrating their promotion to the Premier League is a new low in the culture war between football executives and football supporters. Football clubs across the country are more than happy to use pitch invasions and fan culture for marketing material, but then, when they actually happen, they don't like it. Be careful what you wish for.