Tailgating – when fans without tickets force their way through a turnstile behind someone who has one – will become a criminal offence this weekend.
The practice, which has been commonplace for years and which came to light amid chaotic scenes at England’s European Championship Final with Italy, will now see offenders fined up to £1,000.
Those who are found to have tailgated could also be hit with a banning order as part of a nationwide crackdown.
New laws will be in place from Sunday, ahead of the Carabao Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley – the scene of serious disorder at the Euro 2020 final as thousands of ticketless punters managed to force their way in.
It will also be illegal to attempt to gain entry to matches while knowingly using a forged ticket, pass or accreditation document, or by posing as a member of stadium or playing staff.
Perhaps surprisingly, until now there was no specific legal penalty for entering a football match without a valid ticket – a gap officials say this act ‘firmly closes’. Offenders who are arrested will face a Football Banning Order of up to five years.
Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs yesterday voted to extend the £30 cap on ticket prices for another two years, meaning the restriction will have been in place for 12 seasons.
At a meeting of sides in London there was, as expected, no formal talk of Chelsea’s punishment for making secret payments, despite considerable anger among rival clubs.
