Geoff Pearson
@profgeoffpearson.bsky.social
Prof of Law at Manchester University. Socio-legal research interests in human rights, policing, public order, crowd management, football "hooliganism", Ethnography, and sports law. Currently on research leave.
On the nose again. Not sure how, but David Squires manages it every week.
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
On the nose again. Not sure how, but David Squires manages it every week.
I'll be on The Law Show this week on Radio 4 (and BBC Sounds), talking about football fan legislation. The other topics on the show are criminal court delays and protest cases.
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I'll be on The Law Show this week on Radio 4 (and BBC Sounds), talking about football fan legislation. The other topics on the show are criminal court delays and protest cases.
You just knew that somehow they were going to mess up the new football regulator.
A reminder that David Kogan was *not* on the shortlist for the position of head of the football regulator service and that the candidates who *had* been shortlisted were then ignored in his favour. Kogan did not even apply for the position.
Lisa Nandy apologises for breaking rules on football regulator job
November 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
You just knew that somehow they were going to mess up the new football regulator.
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
succubus - female demon that seduces men
incubus - male demon that seduces women
vengabus - non-binary demon that likes to party
incubus - male demon that seduces women
vengabus - non-binary demon that likes to party
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
succubus - female demon that seduces men
incubus - male demon that seduces women
vengabus - non-binary demon that likes to party
incubus - male demon that seduces women
vengabus - non-binary demon that likes to party
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
Our lecturer, Dr Fiona Brimblecombe, has recently published her Open-Access monograph 'Defamation in the Digital Age and the "right to be forgotten"'. Check it out here: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/defamation-i... @uomsoss.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Our lecturer, Dr Fiona Brimblecombe, has recently published her Open-Access monograph 'Defamation in the Digital Age and the "right to be forgotten"'. Check it out here: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/defamation-i... @uomsoss.bsky.social
In Birmingham today for the launch of the nine NPCC/UKRI Policing Academic Centres of Excellence.
Delighted to be one of the team representing Manchester-PACE, a collaboration between The University of Manchester and MMU @manmetuni.bsky.social
science.police.uk/delivery/res...
Delighted to be one of the team representing Manchester-PACE, a collaboration between The University of Manchester and MMU @manmetuni.bsky.social
science.police.uk/delivery/res...
M-PACE – Manchester P-ACE, Manchester Metropolitan University with University of Manchester
M-PACE aims to support its policing partners in appreciating, developing and mobilising evidence and tools to successfully meet the challenges that they face.
science.police.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
In Birmingham today for the launch of the nine NPCC/UKRI Policing Academic Centres of Excellence.
Delighted to be one of the team representing Manchester-PACE, a collaboration between The University of Manchester and MMU @manmetuni.bsky.social
science.police.uk/delivery/res...
Delighted to be one of the team representing Manchester-PACE, a collaboration between The University of Manchester and MMU @manmetuni.bsky.social
science.police.uk/delivery/res...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
You laugh, but this is how the exododus went extinct
November 3, 2025 at 3:36 PM
You laugh, but this is how the exododus went extinct
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
Amid many a silly “free speech” panic, here is a genuinely chilling case …
Sheffield Hallam professor accuses the institution of negotiating “directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sheffield Hallam professor accuses the institution of negotiating “directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Amid many a silly “free speech” panic, here is a genuinely chilling case …
Sheffield Hallam professor accuses the institution of negotiating “directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sheffield Hallam professor accuses the institution of negotiating “directly with a foreign intelligence service to trade my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
"it is striking how many of the key players we have looked into — the people who have gone out of their way to put up hundreds of flags — seem anything but ordinary."
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
manchestermill.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"it is striking how many of the key players we have looked into — the people who have gone out of their way to put up hundreds of flags — seem anything but ordinary."
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
What he said: 💯 🎯
November 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
What he said: 💯 🎯
Presumably this is the "reasonable excuse" defence for public nuisance in action, following Ziegler? Anyone know why the CPS didn't pursue criminal damage?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Just Stop Oil activists cleared over Stonehenge protest
The trio are cleared of all charges after citing human rights law in their defence.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Presumably this is the "reasonable excuse" defence for public nuisance in action, following Ziegler? Anyone know why the CPS didn't pursue criminal damage?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
I elaborate on allegation-picking here. It has the potential to act (in certain circumstances) as a vehicle for judicial avoidance but one that has avoided the same kind of scruinty as doctrines such as the margin of appreciation have been subjected to: strasbourgobservers.com/2025/02/25/a...
Allegation-Picking and the European Court of Human Rights: A Pervasive Court Practice Hiding in Plain Sight? - Strasbourg Observers
By Alan Greene It is now almost cliché to suggest that the European Court of Human Rights ‘missed an opportunity’ when handing down a judgment. Often, these laments highlight that the Court decided th...
strasbourgobservers.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I elaborate on allegation-picking here. It has the potential to act (in certain circumstances) as a vehicle for judicial avoidance but one that has avoided the same kind of scruinty as doctrines such as the margin of appreciation have been subjected to: strasbourgobservers.com/2025/02/25/a...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
Looking to build back up my group of PhD students. Primarily interested in supervising in the area of drug policy but open to other areas, too. Drop me an email if you have an idea. For more information about me and my work, take a look here: tobyseddon.com
Toby Seddon
Critical thinking on drugs, drug policy & drug law reform
tobyseddon.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Looking to build back up my group of PhD students. Primarily interested in supervising in the area of drug policy but open to other areas, too. Drop me an email if you have an idea. For more information about me and my work, take a look here: tobyseddon.com
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/18...
Come join me and my good chums in the Law School here…
This is where we work
You could even work with me, trying - sometimes succeeding - to convey the joys of Public Law to 1st years
Come join me and my good chums in the Law School here…
This is where we work
You could even work with me, trying - sometimes succeeding - to convey the joys of Public Law to 1st years
October 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/18...
Come join me and my good chums in the Law School here…
This is where we work
You could even work with me, trying - sometimes succeeding - to convey the joys of Public Law to 1st years
Come join me and my good chums in the Law School here…
This is where we work
You could even work with me, trying - sometimes succeeding - to convey the joys of Public Law to 1st years
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
Please ciruclate: Looking for 1-2 RAs for a project on domestic court impact on outcomes at the ECtHR (200h total until end of Feb). Essential: undergraduate degree in law (or related subject) and resident in UK - suitable for grad students. Deadline: 31 October: www.law.cam.ac.uk/press/jobs/2...
Research Assistants
Dr Stefan Theil is looking for up to two research assistants to help with a project on the impact of UK court decisions on the ECHR.
www.law.cam.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Please ciruclate: Looking for 1-2 RAs for a project on domestic court impact on outcomes at the ECtHR (200h total until end of Feb). Essential: undergraduate degree in law (or related subject) and resident in UK - suitable for grad students. Deadline: 31 October: www.law.cam.ac.uk/press/jobs/2...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
NEW
Either public safety is an absolute priority at sporting events or it is not.
Reflections on the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv match
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/either-pub...
Either public safety is an absolute priority at sporting events or it is not.
Reflections on the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv match
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/either-pub...
Either public safety is an absolute priority at sporting events or it is not.
Reflections on the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv match
emptycity.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
NEW
Either public safety is an absolute priority at sporting events or it is not.
Reflections on the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv match
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/either-pub...
Either public safety is an absolute priority at sporting events or it is not.
Reflections on the Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv match
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/either-pub...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
A Maccabi club source told the UK Jewish News that the intervention of far right political activist Tommy Robinson pledging to attend the game as a Maccabi fan was the "final straw" for their decision about the risks of accepting tickets amid this row
www.jewishnews.co.uk/exclusive-ma...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/exclusive-ma...
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A Maccabi club source told the UK Jewish News that the intervention of far right political activist Tommy Robinson pledging to attend the game as a Maccabi fan was the "final straw" for their decision about the risks of accepting tickets amid this row
www.jewishnews.co.uk/exclusive-ma...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/exclusive-ma...
Now it seems that the sorry tale of the Maccabi Tel Aviv away ticket allocation has finally run its course, time for some reflection. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Standing with Maccabi’s football hooligans against local police – is that what patriotism looks like now? | Jonathan Liew
Tommy Robinson is said to be going to Villa Park as a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan. Do the politicians jumping on this bandwagon care what they are doing, asks Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Now it seems that the sorry tale of the Maccabi Tel Aviv away ticket allocation has finally run its course, time for some reflection. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
This weekend's @theipaper.com cartoon
October 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This weekend's @theipaper.com cartoon
The UK Football Policing Unit informed the Home Office *last week* about the safety risks of Maccabi fans attending Villa Park and the potential for a ban. Whatever the rights & wrongs of the decision, it makes the Government's sudden reaction after yesterday's announcement look even more amateur.
The UK Football Policing Unit have issued a pretty damning statement about the Starmer government’s sudden efforts to insert itself into policing football matches
October 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The UK Football Policing Unit informed the Home Office *last week* about the safety risks of Maccabi fans attending Villa Park and the potential for a ban. Whatever the rights & wrongs of the decision, it makes the Government's sudden reaction after yesterday's announcement look even more amateur.
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
More worrying for policing in Britain in the few years to come would be a successful Prime Ministerial or Home Office intervention in the Villa policing decision
We can argue for a different more accountable form of policing but I’m not sure that shifting into governmental hands is the solution
We can argue for a different more accountable form of policing but I’m not sure that shifting into governmental hands is the solution
October 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
More worrying for policing in Britain in the few years to come would be a successful Prime Ministerial or Home Office intervention in the Villa policing decision
We can argue for a different more accountable form of policing but I’m not sure that shifting into governmental hands is the solution
We can argue for a different more accountable form of policing but I’m not sure that shifting into governmental hands is the solution
This is a fascinating development in the Aston Villa v Maccabi TA story, using the language of human rights. Collective expressions of identity by football fans are protected under the ECHR and HRA, but being able to buy tickets for a particular match clearly isn't.
October 17, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This is a fascinating development in the Aston Villa v Maccabi TA story, using the language of human rights. Collective expressions of identity by football fans are protected under the ECHR and HRA, but being able to buy tickets for a particular match clearly isn't.
Reposted by Geoff Pearson
This latest "barrister meets AI" disaster is something all stage 1 law students should read. It is vital about the key skill of case reading - you mustn't use AI to substitute for the skill of being able to find cases and find key content in cases:
tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/ui-202...
tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/ui-202...
October 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
This latest "barrister meets AI" disaster is something all stage 1 law students should read. It is vital about the key skill of case reading - you mustn't use AI to substitute for the skill of being able to find cases and find key content in cases:
tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/ui-202...
tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/ui-202...
Some context about the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv from Villa Park. Safety Advisory Groups regularly restrict numbers of away fans or impose other restrictions on them. Banning away fans is v rare but not unheard of (eg Millwall, Rangers, Celtic). In the continent, away fans are regularly banned.
October 17, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Some context about the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv from Villa Park. Safety Advisory Groups regularly restrict numbers of away fans or impose other restrictions on them. Banning away fans is v rare but not unheard of (eg Millwall, Rangers, Celtic). In the continent, away fans are regularly banned.
Not that I'm suggesting this is opportunism, but can anyone recall a senior British politician speaking out about access to away matches before? I don't even recall a peep out of the govt when English teams were banned from all European matches for 5 years in the 1980s.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Wrong to stop Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending Aston Villa match, says PM
Followers of the Israeli club will not be allowed to attend the Europa League game over safety concerns.
www.bbc.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Not that I'm suggesting this is opportunism, but can anyone recall a senior British politician speaking out about access to away matches before? I don't even recall a peep out of the govt when English teams were banned from all European matches for 5 years in the 1980s.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...