Manchester City among the most arrested fans in the Premier League, new data reveals | OneFootball

Fans of Manchester City are among the most to be arrested across the Premier League, new data from the Home Office has revealed.

While on the pitch Manchester City continue to be known for their aims of setting the standard under Pep Guardiola, the latest figures suggest a different story unfolding in the stands.

Manchester City’s position near the top of this particular table may surprise some, given the club’s reputation for a largely family-oriented matchday experience at the Etihad Stadium and one that continues to be at the forefront of the club’s thinking.

But with rivalries intensifying across the division and at the top of the Premier League, as well as the stakes of each campaign continuing to rise, off-field incidents are drawing increasing scrutiny from authorities and fans alike.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about fan behaviour at the top end of the Premier League. Previous campaigns have seen high-profile clashes, pitch invasions, pyrotechnic offences, and alcohol-related disorder across the country — prompting stronger sanctions and the introduction of tighter stadium enforcement.

However, the rise in reported offences tied to Manchester City fans now places the club squarely in the conversation about improving supporter conduct on matchdays – one that Etihad Stadium decision makers will no doubt take seriously.

Football policing has become a central concern for the Home Office in recent years, particularly in the wake of post-pandemic surges in public disorder incidents. Clubs, local constabularies, and authorities have been under pressure to clamp down on troublemakers while preserving the vibrant atmosphere that makes English football world-renowned.

According to new figures released by the Home Office this week, Manchester United had more supporters arrested last season than any other team in England and Wales with 121 arrests during the 2024/25 season – 34 of which were for public or violent disorder.

It is Manchester City who then take the silver medal in this particular table of data with the second-most arrests in the Premier League with 94 offenders, following by West Ham – who topped the table in all of the last three seasons – with 77 fans arrested.

However, it is the Hammers who had more banning orders in place for its supporters than any other club, rising from 93 to 112 by the end of last season, followed by Manchester United’s 108, up from 89, and Chelsea’s 80 – an increase of almost 50 per cent.

Commenting on the latest data, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “Police up and down the country work incredibly hard to ensure football stadiums are safe, so we can all enjoy our national game.

“Today’s statistics show that these efforts are paying off and strong action is being taken to stop violence and disorder from ruining football.”

The latest figures are unlikely to go unnoticed at City, especially amid the club’s wider efforts to foster a positive community around matchday attendance.

The club has invested heavily in recent years in fan engagement projects, youth initiatives, and local partnerships — and these developments could now face more internal scrutiny as part of an effort to clamp down on the minority of fans responsible for offences.

It remains to be seen whether these statistics will prompt direct action from the club itself, though in recent seasons several Premier League sides have worked with law enforcement and fan groups to identify repeat offenders and enforce more severe sanctions.

With the 2025/26 season now just weeks away, the pressure is on for clubs across the country — not just Manchester City — to get ahead of the issue before it spills into the new campaign.