Premier League clubs are on alert over Just Stop Oil protests during opening weekend of the season… with eco-clowns targeting TURNSTILES after causing chaos at Wimbledon and The Ashes

Premier League clubs are on alert over the prospect of Just Stop Oil protestors disrupting the opening matches of the new season – with turnstiles identified as possible targets.

Mail Sport understands football police chiefs have contacted top flight sides ahead of the forthcoming campaign to warn them that prior warning of an attack is unlikely.

All local forces are drawing up action plans around dealing with protests, with focus on pitch runners and those who seek to attach themselves to objects.

A previous protestor used zip ties to latch onto a goalpost at Everton, but it is understood that concerns JSO could target turnstiles and disrupt those trying to make their way into grounds have been raised.

Turnstiles may well prove more accessible to the environmental protestors and, while they may not be as visible as pitch invasions or goalposts, they could trigger maximum disruption. The prospect of fans frustrated that their entry has been delayed and subsequently taking matters into their own hands will be taken into consideration while clubs have been warned that protestors could also attempt to block entrances at their grounds.

Eco-zealots caused havoc at Wimbledon as they disrupted play during the Championships

Earlier this week it was reported that the Premier League is seen as ‘the holy grail’ by JSO. Three activists ran onto the pitch at Lord’s earlier this summer, throwing orange powder onto the pitch, with one apprehended and carried to the boundary by wicket keeper Jonny Bairstow, who was subsequently praised by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Other sporting events, including the World Snooker Championship, have been targeted. Last season,

, 21, was jailed for six weeks for aggravated trespass at the Everton versus Newcastle Match at Goodison Park in March.

The UK Football Policing Unit have written to every Premier League side. They say they currently assess JSO activity to be unlikely in the early rounds but have urged clubs to be on guard. Officers say prior warning is not likely given protests are often carried out by individuals.

Concerns over team buses being targeted and JSO members trying to slow traffic have also been aired.

Jonny Bairstow carried a JSO protester of the field during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s