First charge for tailgating under new law targeting ticketless football fans

A man has become the first person to be charged under a new law banning football fans from entering a game in England and Wales without a ticket.

The legislation came into force on Sunday, in time for the match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley, which City won 2-0.

It is now a criminal offence for anyone to enter a football game in England and Wales without a ticket. Tailgating is when someone walks closely behind ticket holders to get through entrances.

The new law was prompted by serious disorder at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021.

The Metropolitan Police said it had charged Benjamin Bailey, 27, from Oldham, in Greater Manchester.

He will appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on 1 May in connection with the alleged offence.

Two other men were arrested on suspicion of the same offence at Wembley. They remain in police custody.

And a third was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of tailgating at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He has been bailed pending further investigation.

Those convicted under the new law face a five-year banning order, as well as a fine of up to £1,000.

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There were previously no specific legal penalties for attending a football game without a ticket.

The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act will also make it illegal to knowingly try to enter a match with forged tickets, passes and accreditation documents, as well as by pretending to be a member of stadium or playing staff.

The Metropolitan Police said they recorded a 78% reduction in offences at this year's Carabao Cup final.

A total of 20 arrests were made, including seven for affray, one for assault of an emergency service worker, and one for racially aggravated assault.

That compares with 91 arrests at the same fixture last year.

(c) Sky News 2026: First charge for tailgating under new law targeting ticketless football fans