Britain’s top football police officer has told clubs it is their responsibility to curb the rise in flares and warned that pyrotechnics are dangerous enough to kill fans.
Mark Roberts, the nation’s head of football policing, told Sportsmail on Tuesday that the increase in their presence at grounds is alarming.
Multiple matches have been disrupted by flares this season, including the FA Cup final on Saturday when one was thrown on to the pitch during the penalty shootout between Liverpool and Chelsea.
A flare was thrown on to the pitch during the penalty shootout between Liverpool and Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley
On Sunday, an Everton steward had to remove some from the pitch during Brentford’s 3-2 win.