Three fans were charged Monday night following the latest round of jersey tossing at the Air Canada Centre during a Maple Leafs loss.

The three men have also been banned from all events at the ACC for a year.

Toronto police said the three were charged under the province’s Trespass to Property Act. The offence, specifically called “engage in prohibited activity,” is not a criminal charge but it carries a fine of about $125.

“If you’re doing something that interrupts the game, you’ll be investigated and charged but the charges can vary depending upon how serious the infraction is,” said police spokesman David Hopkinson.

No names will be released since it’s not a criminal investigation, Hopkinson added.

Fans who interfere with play at a professional sporting event could be charged with public mischief under the Criminal Code and even face jail time.

“Let’s say you’re at the Rogers Centre and someone runs on the field,” Hopkinson said. “That person is arrested and charged with public mischief. Public mischief can carry I believe up to a two-year sentence in jail. It’s not anything to sneeze at, I consider that a fairly serious charge. It carries with it all the stigma of a criminal charge. So it can go all the way up to that.”

At least three jerseys were tossed onto the ice, including one that occurred while play was underway, during Toronto’s 4-1 loss to last-place Carolina, a result that marked the team’s fifth consecutive setback, and 13th in its last 16 games.

Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment had warned of arrests for jersey tossing, and a lifetime ban from the ACC, following a rash of jersey tossing incidents earlier this season.

Leafs players voiced their disapproval over the incidents, citing disrespect for the team and its traditions.

Part of the concern also stemmed from a potentially dangerous situation where defenceman Jake Gardiner narrowly avoided stepping on one jersey on the ice, near the boards.

“I don’t know how that happens, what security or the ushers are doing . . . it seems like we’re giving the guy an extra couple of minute to flip everybody off and mock our real fans,” Leafs forward Nazem Kadri said after Monday’s loss.

“I don’t know how that guy’s not taken by his shirt and dragged out of there, but what do I know.”

But social media was active Monday night, with fans tweeting that if the Leafs are upset over the jersey tossing, “do something about it . . . now you know how we feel.”

The Toronto police account created the hashtag #Jerseygate and tweeted:

“Car interferes w/ traffic, complaints why cops aren’t there. Fans interfere w/ National game/broadcast, complaints why cops bother...”

Spectators are warned about interrupting play and/or entering the field or playing surface while at pro sports venues. Fans will often throw hats on the ice when a player scores a hat trick as per tradition but the tossing of jerseys — which can cost as much as $300 depending on the quality — or other items is verboten.

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“In the events that occurred last night, the investigators believed that the people should be given the fine and that’s what occurred,” Hopkinson said. “But in the future, this can easily result in a criminal charge.”

From the files (Oct. 12, 2014):

DIMANNO: Tossing jersey a bush-league move