A new law criminalizes storming turnstiles at football stadiums, effective this Sunday ahead of the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

Penalties for Unauthorized Entry

Ticketless fans who force their way inside face fines up to £1,000 and potential five-year bans from matches. The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act also prohibits entering with forged tickets, passes, or accreditation documents, as well as impersonating stadium or team staff.

Response to Euro 2020 Chaos

The legislation addresses the disorder at the Euro 2020 final, delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19, where around 2,000 fans entered Wembley without tickets. Outside the stadium, drunken brawls erupted, including one incident involving a flare mishap. A review confirmed that the turnstile breaches endangered lives.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones stated: “Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened. 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.”

Baroness Louise Casey’s subsequent review highlighted the risks to lives from supporters breaking into the venue during that match.