Football fans attempting to enter stadiums without valid tickets could face a five-year ban under new legislation currently progressing through Parliament.
The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill, backed by the government, would make gaining unauthorised access to matches a specific criminal offence.
Introduced by Linsey Farnsworth, Labour MP for Amber Valley, the bill is set for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday and is expected to receive support from MPs.
Farnsworth, one of 20 MPs granted the opportunity to propose legislation after a parliamentary ballot, highlighted the bill’s focus on safety.
“For me, it’s about fan safety, ensuring that supporters with valid tickets have a great experience on matchday,” she said.
The bill was inspired by recommendations from a review of the chaos at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, where thousands of ticketless individuals stormed the stadium.
The disorder involved about 2,000 “ticketless, drunken and drugged-up thugs” and was described as potentially life-threatening by report author Baroness Casey.
Farnsworth recalled personal accounts of the incident:
“I have friends who were in the stadium that day, one of whom was pregnant, and they found it incredibly frightening.”
Currently, fans caught tailgating, using fake tickets, or impersonating officials are typically ejected without facing further consequences.
Under the proposed legislation, offenders could face criminal convictions, fines of up to £1,000, and football banning orders lasting up to five years.
Baroness Casey, a strong advocate for the bill, stressed the dangers of unauthorised entry, warning of risks such as crush injuries.
“There’s this folklore of ‘I did it in my day,’ but turnstiles now are different. Mishandling them raises the risk of crush, and that can risk lives,” she explained.
While the legislation aims to prevent incidents like those at Wembley, some fans questioned its necessity.
“Back in the 70s, you’d see people rushing the turnstiles, but I haven’t seen that in decades,” remarked a Leicester City fan outside the club’s Premier League match against West Ham on Tuesday.
Another added: “With modern ticketing systems, I don’t see how this will make much difference.”
However, Baroness Casey and the Football Association emphasised that tailgating, or “jibbing,” remains common.
“It happens frequently, not just as a one-off,” Casey said, noting widespread support from the FA and police for tighter controls.
The legislation, if passed, is likely to become law well before the UK and Ireland host Euro 2028. A similar bill introduced during the previous Parliament failed to pass before the general election.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“It is vital that football fans can attend games without fear of violence or disorder. This bill will create a specific offence to punish those attempting unauthorised entry to matches, ensuring a safer experience for all.”
As the bill progresses, it aims to close gaps in current enforcement, ensuring stadium safety and deterring disruptive behaviour that threatens the integrity of the game.
