SOUTHAMPTON football fans had more than a dozen banning orders between them this summer, new figures reveal.

Hundreds of new football banning orders were dished out to rowdy supporters across England and Wales in 2020-21.

This was despite the majority of matches being played behind closed doors or at limited capacity due to covid restrictions.

Five of these involved Southampton fans, according to Home Office figures.

It means that 18 bans overall, were in place among Saints supporters as of August 1.

Handed down by courts to prevent violence or disorder connected with football matches, banning orders stop people from attending regulated matches and are issued following a conviction for a football-related offence or following complaints from the police or Crown Prosecution Service.

At the beginning of August, there were 1,359 in force across the top five English divisions.

There were also 116 arrests related to football nationally during the 2020-21 season, down from 1,089 the year before. None of them involved Southampton fans.

Most of the arrests across England and Wales last season – 96 – were linked to Euro 2020 matches, with fans most likely to have been apprehended over violent or public disorder and alcohol or drug related offences.

Commenting on the figures, a spokesperson for Southampton FC said: “Southampton Football Club is committed to ensuring that St Mary’s Stadium is a safe and welcoming stadium for all fans and visitors.

“As such, the club works closely with Hampshire Constabulary to prevent disorder and whenever required, engages fully with any investigation into football-related offences.”

On Monday, England was given a one-match stadium ban following unrest at Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2020 final, with the Football Association fined for the “lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium” concerning the game.

A significant national drop in both arrests and new banning orders – which were down to 208 from 360 the season before – is linked to the vast majority of matches being played without spectators last season due to coronavirus restrictions, but also reflects a wider downward trend, the Home Office said.

The Daily Echo has contacted Hampshire Constabulary and is awaiting comment.