March 24 – A new law to criminalise tailgating in England and Wales claimed its first victim on Sunday.
What was once a rite of passage sneaking into a stadium as a young kid will now see you end up in court because of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act.
The law came into force in time for Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City, making it illegal to enter a stadium without a valid ticket.
It’s a move that targets fans who gain access by following closely behind legitimate ticket holders, hence the term tailgating.
A 27-year-old man from Oldham became the first person charged under the new law following the final at Wembley Stadium, which City won 2-0. He is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 1 May.
The legislation was introduced in response to the disorder seen at the UEFA Euro 2020 Final, where widespread ticketless entry raised major safety concerns.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts welcomed the move, stating: “Tailgating is not simply about avoiding ticket costs; unauthorised entry is a serious offence that can lead to overcrowding and pose a risk to the safety of law-abiding fans. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to working closely with partners and the Government to tackle emerging threats.”
Those convicted under the new law face fines of up to £1,000 and potential five-year stadium bans. The rules also criminalise attempts to enter matches using forged tickets, fake accreditation, or impersonation of staff.
The Metropolitan Police reported a 78% drop in offences at this year’s Carabao Cup final, with 20 arrests compared to 91 at the same fixture last year.