YouTube Prankster Handed Maximum Football Ban
A serial prankster has been banned from attending football matches for five years and told to 'grow up' after invading the pitch during a Nations League game between Ireland and England.
Daniel Jarvis, 37, from Gravesend in Kent, who operates under the online alias 'Jarvo', ran onto the field at Dublin's Aviva Stadium last September. The content creator was immediately restrained by security staff during the international match.
Court Implements Maximum Banning Order
Medway Magistrates' Court heard an application on Wednesday to prevent the YouTuber from causing future disorder at football matches. The judge responded by imposing the maximum five-year football banning order available under the law.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' lead for football policing, didn't hold back in his assessment of Jarvis's behaviour. 'Jarvis is clearly an attention seeker who carried out the pitch invasion in order to get some more hits on his social media,' Roberts stated.
The senior police officer emphasised that such stunts create genuine security concerns. 'It is difficult to instantly ascertain if someone poses a threat or is just seeking attention,' he explained, noting that these actions divert security staff from their primary duties.
History of High-Profile Stunts
Jarvis, who describes himself as 'the greatest prankster of all time' to his 207,000 YouTube subscribers, has built a reputation for staging disruptive stunts at major sporting events.
His previous antics include:
- Dressing in England's kit and attempting to join the team during the national anthem before a match against Ireland
- Taping a phone to the Match of the Day set to play sex noises during Gary Lineker's broadcast in 2023
- Multiple pitch invasions while wearing team kits to blend in with players
Following the Match of the Day incident, Lineker himself acknowledged the prank with amusement, posting on X: 'Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes it was quite amusing.'
Strong Message From Prosecutors
Simon Jones from the Crown Prosecution Service in Wessex and National Football lead delivered a stern warning about the consequences of such behaviour. 'Daniel Jarvis used his notoriety and platform for repeated illegal behaviour,' Jones said.
'His five-year ban from football shows the consequences of criminal actions at matches and should serve as a deterrent to others,' he added, highlighting that the punishment sends a clear message to would-be copycats.
Chief Constable Roberts welcomed the court's decision, hoping it would give Jarvis time to reflect. 'I welcome the five-year banning order that has been handed to him, which will hopefully give him some time to grow up and start to act responsibly,' he concluded.
The banning order means Jarvis cannot attend any regulated football matches in England and Wales for the next five years, effectively putting an end to his football-related prank content during that period.
