Tailgating at matches to become criminal offence

About 2,000 people got into the England v Italy Euro 2020 final at Wembley illegally Entering a football match in England and Wales without a ticket will become a criminal offence under new laws that come into force before Sunday's Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley. Offenders will face a football banning order of up to five years, as well as a fine of up to £1,000. The legislation has been introduced as a result of the serious disorder that marred the European Championship final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021, when thousands of fans forced their way into the stadium. The new act is designed to clamp down on 'tailgating' - 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, with supporters that are caught doing so tending to be ejected without any further punishment. Sixty-nine arrests were made in relation to last year's Carabao Cup final, with the Metropolitan Police confirming at the time that the majority had been for trying to get into Wembley without a ticket. But 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." Mark Lynch, Stadium Director at Wembley, said: "Attempts to tailgate or force entry into football stadiums places a huge strain on crowd safety teams and puts legitimate ticket holders at risk of overcrowding or injury. "This new legislation will make football safer for fans with genuine tickets, and we are pleased that it will come into effect ahead of a busy period of football matches at Wembley Stadium." A Football Association (FA) commissioned report led by Baroness Louise Casey said the disorder at the Euro 2020 final could have led to deaths. It found that about 2,000 people got into the match illegally, with 17 mass breaches of disabled access gates and emergency fire doors. The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act follows Baroness Casey's findings that sanctions on breaking into stadiums were weak, and that tailgating should become a criminal offence. 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. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Alexander-Arnold not in 35-man split England squad O'Sullivan makes highest-ever break with historic 153 Culture or cult? Ashes review signals Bazball overtime Watch every episode of the award-winning gangster saga The true story of Birmingham's most notorious gang Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan discuss their intense new film Cillian Murphy curates a Peaky Blinders mixtape Culture or cult? Ashes review signals Bazball overtime The Man Utd prodigy still too young to play senior football How Gray is proving a shining light in Tottenham's season of turmoil 'I thought I'd be bleeped by BBC' - but Hunt's words resonate Weekly sports quiz: Who is youngest top-flight scorer? Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory... Video Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory... Afcon final chaos - key questions answered What's behind Super League's injury crisis? Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.