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.
