Last Updated: 20 August 2026 I Reading Time: Approx. 6 minutes
Summary
Football should be an enjoyable experience for supporters, players and communities. However, violence and disorder can sometimes occur at or around matches, including on journeys to and from games or in surrounding areas.
If you are injured as a result of a crime of violence, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This can potentially apply whether the incident happened inside a football ground, in a pub, on the street or elsewhere, provided the circumstances meet the requirements of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
It is important, however, not to assume that every injury connected with a football match will qualify. CICA has specific rules covering eligibility, reporting, cooperation with the police, evidence and time limits.
Quick answer
If you are physically or psychologically injured as a result of a qualifying violent crime connected with a football match or event, you may be able to claim through CICA. The scheme does not require the offender to have been identified or convicted in every case. The maximum overall award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is £500,000, although this is not a standard payout and most claims are worth considerably less.
In this article
- Can you claim CICA compensation after football violence?
- What types of football-related incidents may qualify?
- How much compensation can CICA pay?
- What if the attacker was not identified?
- Do you need a criminal conviction?
- What evidence is important?
- How long do you have to claim?
- What should you do after being injured?
- How GLP Solicitors can help
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- Football-related violence can potentially lead to a CICA claim if you suffer a qualifying injury as a result of a crime of violence.
- The incident does not necessarily have to happen inside a football stadium.
- The maximum overall CICA award is £500,000, but the maximum tariff award for a single injury is £250,000.
- You do not necessarily need to know who attacked you or have a conviction secured against them.
- The incident will generally need to have been reported to the police and you will need to cooperate with the investigation.
- In most cases, you should make your application within two years of the incident.
- CICA compensation is based on a statutory tariff and is not a guaranteed amount.
- CICA received more than 47,000 new claims in 2025–26 and paid £181 million in compensation, demonstrating the significant volume of claims currently being handled.
Can you claim compensation after football-related violence?
Potentially, yes.
The fact that an incident happened in connection with football does not automatically prevent a victim from making a CICA claim.
The important question is whether you suffered an injury as a result of a crime of violence that falls within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
For example, depending on the circumstances, a potential claim could arise if you were assaulted:
- Inside a football stadium.
- While entering or leaving a stadium.
- At a pub or venue showing a match.
- At a supporter gathering.
- On a journey connected with a football match.
- In the surrounding area of a football ground.
The location and circumstances of the incident will be relevant when CICA assesses eligibility.
Football-related offending is treated seriously by the criminal justice system. CPS guidance covers offences including violence and public disorder connected with football, and football banning orders can be imposed in appropriate cases.
What types of football-related incidents could potentially lead to a CICA claim?
There is no special “football violence compensation” tariff.
Instead, the normal Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme applies.
A potential claim could arise where someone suffers a qualifying injury following an incident such as:
Assault
For example, you could be injured after being punched, kicked, struck with an object or otherwise assaulted during football-related disorder.
Crowd violence
You may potentially have a claim if you are an innocent bystander caught up in violent disorder.
Violence around a stadium
An incident does not necessarily have to happen inside the ground. Violence can occur in surrounding streets, transport areas, pubs or other locations associated with a match.
Violence on the journey to or from a match
Football-related disorder can occur before or after a game, including while supporters are travelling.
The circumstances will need to be considered carefully to determine whether the incident meets the requirements of the Scheme.
What injuries can CICA compensate?
CICA can compensate eligible victims for certain physical and psychological injuries resulting from a crime of violence.
The tariff includes a wide range of injuries, with compensation amounts determined by the type and severity of the injury.
For example, the current tariff includes awards ranging from £1,000 to £250,000 for individual injuries.
Potentially relevant injuries following a football-related assault could include:
- Fractures.
- Serious head injuries.
- Facial injuries and scarring.
- Loss of sight.
- Significant psychological injury.
- Permanent disability.
- Other qualifying physical injuries.
The exact amount depends on the injury and the requirements of the Scheme.
Is CICA compensation really up to £500,000?
Yes, but this figure needs some important context.
The original article suggests that a victim could receive “up to £500,000 compensation from the CICA”. That is technically possible under the Scheme, but it can be misleading if presented as though £500,000 is the maximum payment for an injury.
Under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme:
- The maximum tariff award for a single injury is £250,000.
- Additional payments can be available in certain circumstances, including qualifying loss of earnings and special expenses.
- The maximum overall award is £500,000.
Therefore, £500,000 should not be used as an expected compensation figure.
It represents the maximum overall award available under the Scheme in qualifying circumstances.
What if the attacker was not identified?
You may still be able to claim.
One of the important features of the CICA Scheme is that a victim does not necessarily need to identify the person responsible before applying.
The Scheme is concerned with whether the applicant meets its eligibility requirements and whether the evidence establishes that a qualifying crime of violence occurred.
However, the incident will generally need to have been reported to the police, and applicants are expected to cooperate with the police investigation and criminal justice process.
If you were assaulted during football-related disorder and the attacker disappeared into a crowd, you should not automatically assume that you have no route to compensation.
Do I need to wait for a criminal conviction?
No.
A CICA application does not depend on an offender being convicted.
The Government’s draft updated Victims’ Code published in 2026 specifically states that victims should not wait for the outcome of a criminal trial before applying. CICA may, however, put an application on hold where it does not yet have enough information to progress it.
This distinction is important.
A criminal prosecution and a CICA claim are separate processes. A prosecution determines whether someone should be held criminally responsible, while CICA applies the rules of the compensation scheme.
What evidence will I need for a football violence compensation claim?
Evidence can be important in establishing both what happened and the injury you suffered.
Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence could include:
- Police incident or crime reference details.
- Medical records.
- Hospital or GP records.
- Photographs of injuries.
- CCTV footage, where available.
- Witness information.
- Match tickets or other evidence showing your presence at the event.
- Photographs or videos of the incident.
- Evidence of psychological injury.
- Evidence relating to loss of earnings.
- Receipts or documents relating to potentially eligible expenses.
You should not put yourself at risk to obtain evidence.
For example, if an incident occurred during a crowd disturbance, do not attempt to confront someone or return to a dangerous situation to obtain photographs.
How long do I have to make a CICA claim?
In most cases, you should apply within two years of the incident.
CICA can extend the time limit in exceptional circumstances, but this is not something a victim should rely on. The Scheme requires there to be exceptional circumstances preventing an earlier application and sufficient evidence for CICA to make a decision without extensive further enquiries.
There can also be different considerations in certain cases, including incidents involving children.
If you think you may be eligible, it is sensible to start the process as soon as possible.
What should you do if you are injured at a football match?
If you have been injured following violence, your immediate safety and medical treatment should come first.
Where appropriate:
1. Get to a safe place
Move away from the violence if you can do so safely.
2. Seek medical attention
Even injuries that initially appear minor can develop into more serious problems.
Medical records may also provide useful evidence about your injuries.
3. Report the incident
Report the crime to the police and obtain a crime reference number where possible.
4. Keep relevant evidence
Save photographs, messages, medical records and other relevant information.
5. Record what happened
As soon as you reasonably can, write down what you remember, including the location, approximate time, what happened and any witnesses.
6. Consider legal advice
If you are unsure whether the incident qualifies for CICA compensation, specialist advice can help you understand the Scheme and your options.
Football violence and football banning orders
It is worth distinguishing between compensation for victims and measures designed to prevent offenders from attending football matches.
Football banning orders can be imposed in certain circumstances where a person has been convicted of a relevant offence or where a court is satisfied that the requirements for an order on complaint are met.
The CPS states that football banning orders can prevent individuals from attending regulated football matches and can include requirements relating to matches outside the UK.
Recent cases demonstrate that the authorities continue to use these powers in response to football-related violence and disorder.
For example, in May 2026, four men were sentenced for their involvement in violent clashes between rival supporters ahead of the 2024 Scottish League Cup Final and received football banning orders as part of the outcome.
A football banning order is not compensation for the victim. It is a separate legal measure aimed at preventing violence and disorder.
Why is this relevant in 2026?
Football-related violence continues to be treated as a serious public order issue.
The criminal justice system has powers to deal with violence, disorder and hate crime connected with football, while football banning orders can be used to restrict individuals who pose a risk of further violence or disorder.
At the same time, victims who suffer injuries should not be overlooked.
CICA’s latest annual report shows that the Authority received more than 47,000 new claims during 2025–26 and provided £181 million in compensation to victims of violent crime.
The figures also highlight that CICA is dealing with substantial demand, so victims should not assume that a claim will be resolved immediately.
Is a CICA claim the same as a personal injury claim?
No.
A CICA claim is made under a Government-funded compensation scheme for eligible victims of violent crime.
A personal injury claim is a civil claim against a person, business, organisation or another party that may be legally responsible for an injury.
The appropriate route will depend on how the injury occurred and who may be legally responsible.
In some circumstances, it may be important to consider whether there are alternative or additional legal avenues rather than assuming that CICA is the only option.
How GLP Solicitors Can Help
If you have been injured in football-related violence, understanding whether you qualify for CICA compensation can be difficult.
GLP Solicitors’ Criminal Injury Compensation Team can help you understand the CICA Scheme, the evidence that may be relevant and the steps involved in making a claim.
We can also advise on issues such as:
- Whether your circumstances may meet the Scheme’s requirements.
- Physical and psychological injuries.
- Evidence and medical information.
- Loss of earnings and eligible expenses.
- CICA decisions and reviews.
- What to do if the offender was not identified or convicted.
Our role is to explain the process clearly and help you understand your options rather than making assumptions about what your claim may be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Potentially, yes. If you suffered a qualifying physical or psychological injury as a result of a crime of violence, you may be eligible to claim through CICA. The fact that the incident happened at a football match does not automatically make you eligible, however. CICA will consider the circumstances against the requirements of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The incident will generally need to have been reported to the police and you will need to cooperate with the investigation.
Potentially. CICA does not simply limit eligibility to violence that occurs inside a football ground. An incident outside a stadium, in surrounding areas or in another location could potentially qualify if it meets the Scheme’s definition of a crime of violence and the other eligibility requirements are satisfied. The specific circumstances matter, so it is important not to assume that being outside the stadium automatically prevents a claim.
Yes, potentially. You do not necessarily need to identify the attacker for a CICA claim to be considered. However, the incident generally needs to have been reported to the police and you are expected to cooperate with the investigation. CICA will consider the available evidence when assessing your application. If you were assaulted during a large crowd disturbance and the attacker could not be identified, it is still worth obtaining advice about whether you may be eligible.
No. A criminal conviction is not a requirement for every CICA claim. The CICA Scheme operates separately from criminal prosecution, although information from the police and criminal justice process can be relevant. The Government’s 2026 draft Victims’ Code specifically advises victims not to wait for a criminal trial outcome before applying. CICA may delay progressing a claim if it needs information from an ongoing investigation or prosecution.
There is no standard amount. CICA uses a statutory tariff that assigns set amounts to qualifying injuries. The maximum tariff payment for an individual injury is £250,000, while the maximum overall award can reach £500,000 where the relevant additional payments are included. The amount you receive will depend on your qualifying injuries and circumstances. The headline £500,000 figure should therefore not be interpreted as what an ordinary football assault claim is likely to be worth.
In most cases, you should apply within two years of the incident. CICA can extend the deadline in exceptional circumstances, but applicants should not assume that an extension will be granted. The Scheme has specific provisions dealing with different circumstances, including some cases involving children. Applying as soon as possible can help avoid unnecessary problems with the time limit.
Potentially, yes. The CICA tariff includes certain psychological injuries as well as physical injuries. Psychological harm can sometimes take time to become apparent, so appropriate medical evidence can be important. If you have experienced anxiety, trauma or other psychological difficulties following an assault, it is sensible to seek appropriate medical or professional support. Whether the injury meets the Scheme’s requirements will depend on the individual circumstances and evidence.
Yes. You can make a CICA application yourself, but a solicitor experienced in criminal injury claims can help you understand the Scheme, identify relevant evidence and deal with issues that arise during the process. This can be particularly useful where injuries are serious, psychological harm is involved, loss of earnings is being claimed or CICA has made a decision that you disagree with.
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