A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed without notice for engaging in football hooliganism and has been handed a three-year football banning order following a misconduct hearing.
Detective Constable Gordon Irikefe, an Arsenal supporter attached to the Central South Command Unit, was found guilty of gross misconduct after his disruptive behavior at several football matches, including an incident during a Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal match.
DC Irikefe also appeared at %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%% Magistrates' Court today, where a three-year banning order was issued, preventing him from attending regulated football matches in the UK and certain matches abroad.
Pattern of Disruptive Behavior
The misconduct hearing, held on Thursday, 20 %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%%, heard that while off duty at the Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal match on 17 April 2024, DC Irikefe lit and threw a pyrotechnic into the crowd. He was also arrested by German %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%% for wearing a full balaclava and sunglasses inside the stadium, an offense under German law, and was fined €100 for “masking.
Investigators from the Met’s Central Football Unit detailed a pattern of unacceptable behavior by DC Irikefe at football matches between October 2022 and April 2024. This included:
- Disorderly and anti-social behavior at multiple Arsenal games.
- Tragedy chanting” at a %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%% City match in February 2023, where he shouted “helicopter,” referencing a tragic incident involving Leicester City's owner.
- Wearing masks and using pyrotechnics to intimidate rival fans.
- Making lewd gestures and shouting abuse at players and other fans.
Misconduct and Dismissal
Although DC Irikefe resigned on 12 February, his notice period meant he was still officially a serving officer at the time of the misconduct hearing. As a result, he was dismissed without notice for breaching professional behavior standards at the level of %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_4%% misconduct.
Detective Superintendent Emma Bond, who oversees the Central South area, condemned Irikefe's actions, saying:
“DC Irikefe has shown an unacceptable pattern of behavior at football matches, for anyone, let alone a police officer who should uphold the highest of standards whether on or off duty. His actions have not only led to a football banning order but have also cost him his job. I am grateful to the professional standards and football unit colleagues for gathering the necessary evidence to take decisive action.”
Football Banning Order and Restrictions
The three-year football banning order issued by Westminster Magistrates’ %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_5%% imposes strict conditions on DC Irikefe:
- He is prohibited from attending any regulated football matches in the UK.
- He must surrender his %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_6%% when required in relation to overseas football matches.
- He cannot be within one mile of the %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_7%% Stadium on Arsenal match days, four hours before and after a game.
- He is barred from visiting any town, city, or %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_8%% borough hosting an Arsenal away match within four hours before and after the game.
- He must stay at least two miles away from any stadium where the %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_9%% national team is playing, four hours before and after the match.
Barred from Policing
Following his dismissal, DC Irikefe will be placed on the College of Policing's barred list, preventing him from being employed by any police force, Police and %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_10%% Commissioners, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), or His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
This case underscores the Met’s commitment to maintaining professional standards among its officers, both on and off duty, and its zero-tolerance policy towards violent or anti-social behavior at football matches.
