Hmm, I would disagree re cricket / union - I've not seen a pitch invasion at either for years (though granted they were rife fifteen years ago), I think both are generally very well run now in terms of security.
Who's to blame for running on is probably an unanswerable question. ATEOTD yes stewards have a job to do, but likewise just because you manage to side-step a steward and get on doesn't make it right either.
I'd guess it IS an offence at most professional sports grounds in the UK. If you're a club, you don't want the hassle (eg cost and safety) of pitch invasions, so surely you'd just make them an offence to at least try and deter some people.
I have to say, sometimes I don't really see the harm. If a club has won promotion or survived relegation on the final day you can kind of appreciate the emotion getting the better of people. However, when you get one like last night after one poxy league win (which lets face it, with a minimum of four derbies a season now makes it just a regular game anyway despite the hype) is just an excuse to 'rebel' and try to incite trouble.

Rovers fan in peace. Firstly the best team won. Minechello and westerman superb.
I'm not bothered about the few young ones who came on to celebrate with their team but the dozon or so who came on to goad and sing your going down to the rovers fans were not necessary. These were the usual old enough to know better (we all have them) and if a few rovers fans reacted it could have escalated. By all means celebrate with the team but these dicks had other motives. Shame.

I'm afraid the behaviour of a few idiots is symptomatic of how decades of fierce rivalry between the fans has been whipped up into blind hatred.

Let's face it we saw the nobh€ad element from both teams in action after the game last night, the minority give a bad name to the rest of the fans

The thing as well (and this probably applies to all three clubs) is that unfortunately as you get bigger and successful there will always be people wanting to board the bandwagon who arguably are not 'real' fans, and so don't give a damn about the club's reputation, or repercussions.
I've almost now stopped going to Rovers, and one reason is that (IMO) it's a horrible experience compared to what it was before thousands suddently appeared out of nowhere after promotion. I'd never seen fights between Rovers fans, or people smoking weed at matches before promotion, two things I've witnessed (or in the smoking case smelt!!) in recent times.
Despite grumblings on both sides, both clubs are undoubtedly a lot more successful than say 20 years ago. Back then the two clubs combined had less than what Rovers get now, but you didn't get the trouble, so it all depends what you want really. A big part of me misses the times when it was mostly 'real' fans. 80% of people singing "Rovers till I die..." probably couldn't even name one pre-SL player, but again that's part of a club progressing I suppose (because in all fairness probably half the Hull home support never went to Boulevard either - not knocking that).
It's really hard to say what the solution is. Do you bring back fencing like the pre-90's football era? Who knows.

You are correct, it is only an offence for association football 'matches' under the Football Offences Act 1991.
That said, the old bill could in theory do you for a public order offence if you do anything untoward or anything other than just a bit of scarf waving or congratulating players.

Bloomin' 'eck. How come Hull City weren't done when Allam incited the fans onto the pitch to pay homage to himself? Pitch was rammed.

probably because the 'owner'/person responsible gave explicit permission.


to Roofs, not in the UK but in 2002 a referee was attacked (& injured) at an international between SA and NZ, the guy got 3 months and a lifetime ban. the worst in rugby history is a NZvSA match on the 1981 Springboks tour, 5000 anti apartheid supporters turned up and 350 people ripped down fences invaded the pitch and the match was abandoned despite 500 police.

Is rugby league not a code of football? Or does it specifically only mention association football?

EDIT: Yup, just association football in the legislation. Surprised that hasn't been amended to all professional sport to be honest.

It's only ever been an issue in soccer.