Disorder, drug use and ticket prices main concerns for fans as Premier League returns

Premier League fans have revealed their fears over supporter behaviour on the eve of the new season, with drug use and pyrotechnics both of mounting concern ahead of Friday night’s big kick-off.

In the second part of a Telegraph Sport Premier League fan survey, supporters from all 20 clubs were invited to detail their first-hand experiences after the return of full stadiums and a season that became marred by repeated episodes of disorder.

Only 10 per cent of respondents reported an improvement in fan behaviour, against 90 per cent who said that it had worsened or stayed the same. More than half also said that they had seen or heard sexist, racist or homophobic abuse inside a stadium during the past year, although fan representatives did also largely agree that such behaviour was steadily being driven out.

The survey found that ticket prices, club ownership and constantly changing broadcast times were the biggest concerns alongside fan behaviour.

“It is obvious that drugs are replacing alcohol as the ‘nourishment’ of choice at football matches,” said one fan. Another said that they knew of supporters who were “seriously thinking about giving up away games” over the level of disorder, and reported being knocked to the ground as another fan tried to confront home supporters.

“This was symptomatic of the aggressive atmosphere I saw all too often last season, with substance-loaded fans more interested in confrontation than the match itself,” said the fan. “Something has clearly changed since the return of fans to grounds.”

Another fan said that “smoke bombs, drug-taking and pitch invasions are all too frequent” but it was also stressed that the majority of matches passed off without problems. “There is a danger that well