Created to control unruly fans Philadelphia Eagles' games, the Court allows those fans to be arrested, tried and convicted all within the stadium. Supporters claim that this deters rowdism at football games. But in order for Judge McCaffery and two other judges who sit on the bench to maintain peace, they need defendants. The judge has claimed that police officers have not been arresting unlawful fans as instructed, but rather are simply throwing the fans out of the stadium. Judge McCaffery states "if there’s nothing going on, there’s no sense in having a court…"

According to an Associated Press story, the city's Police Commissioner John Timoney has defended the actions of  his officers, claiming that "he would like to see the court continue because it helps deter serious offenses, such as carrying open containers and violence. .  . but his officers will not arrest fans just because they yell too loud." It seems that Timoney and McCaffery don’t agree on the strategy of the city’s "zero-tolerance policy" towards abusive fans.

Officials say that they will have the court in session at the stadium until the conclusion of the Philadelphia-Dallas game -- a historically rowdy match.

It's Not a Country Club

Some experts in the NFL claim that the most abusive fans come to Veterans' Stadium. In 1997, there were over 60 fistfights in the stands and one fan even fired shots from a flare gun into the crowd. On the other hand, if ejections have limited fan rowdism, then maybe that is the best punishment.