Arsenal and Man City fans face £1k fines under new Carabao Cup final law

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Arsenal and Manchester City supporters could face fines of up to £1,000 and five-year stadium bans if they attempt to enter Wembley Stadium without valid tickets for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Fresh legislation comes into force this weekend specifically targeting “tailgating” – where fans force their way through turnstiles by staying close to genuine ticket holders. The new law makes it a criminal offence to enter a football match without a ticket or using counterfeit documents.

Euro 2020 chaos sparks legal change

The legislation follows the chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, when thousands of ticketless supporters broke into Wembley and caused widespread disorder. Previously, there had been no legal sanction for entering a venue without a ticket.

According to Football London, those found guilty of the new offences will be arrested and face a Football Banning Order of up to five years alongside the £1,000 fine. It will also be illegal to knowingly use counterfeit tickets, passes or accreditation documents, or impersonate stadium or club personnel.

“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,”

said Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones.

High demand for final tickets

The timing is particularly relevant as both Arsenal and Manchester City were allocated just under 32,000 tickets each for Sunday’s final, with the Gunners’ allocation selling out quickly. The high demand increases the likelihood of supporters attempting to gain entry without valid tickets.

Following the Euro 2020 incidents, the Football Association commissioned Baroness Louise Casey to conduct an independent review. Her findings recommended strengthening the legal framework to discourage football-related disorder, including tailgating and forced entry.

Baroness Casey emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating that forcing entry “jeopardises the safety of legitimate fans and staff” and that the new criminal offence makes clear such behaviour “won’t be tolerated.”

The legislation also aims to prevent similar scenes when the UK and Ireland host Euro 2028, with Wembley again set to stage the final. Arsenal and City supporters will need to ensure they have legitimate tickets as the Premier League’s top two sides battle for silverware at a sold-out Wembley on Sunday.