New legislation is set to come into force making it a criminal offence to enter a football match in England and Wales without a ticket. This change arrives ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley.
The move follows the disorder that marred the European Championship final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021. Thousands of fans forced their way into the stadium.
Criminalising Ticketless Entry
Under the new laws, offenders will face a football banning order of up to five years. A fine of up to £1,000 could also be imposed.
The act is designed to clamp down on ‘tailgating’. This is where supporters without tickets make their way through turnstiles by staying close behind legitimate ticket-holders.
It will also be illegal to knowingly attempt to gain entry using forged tickets, passes and accreditation documents, or by posing as a member of staff.
Until now, there have been no specific legal penalties for entering a football match without a ticket. Supporters caught doing so tended to be ejected without any further punishment.
Wembley Disorder and the Casey Report
A Football Association (FA) commissioned report led by Baroness Louise Casey said the disorder at the Euro 2020 final could have led to deaths. The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act follows Baroness Casey’s findings that sanctions on breaking into stadiums were weak. It also reflects her view that tailgating should become a criminal offence.
The report found that about 2,000 people got into the match illegally. There were also 17 mass breaches of disabled access gates and emergency fire doors.
Police and Government Response
Sixty-nine arrests were made in relation to last year’s Carabao Cup final. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the majority had been for trying to get into Wembley without a ticket. Until now, police could only charge a culprit with suspected fraud, making prosecution unlikely.
“Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened,” said policing minister Sarah Jones.
“We’re giving the police the tools they need to ensure the chaos we saw at Wembley five years ago never happens again.
“Anyone who endangers others by forcing their way into stadiums faces serious consequences.”
Italy beat England on penalties in the final to be crowned European champions.
England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are co-hosts of Euro 2028.