Entering a soccer match without a ticket will become a criminal offence under new laws that will take effect ahead of theEnglish League Cup finalbetween Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
It was at the national stadium where thousands of ticketless people forced their way in for the European Championship final in July 2021 inviolent and chaotic scenes.
That led to a government review, which found that lives were endangered, sanctions on breaking into stadiums were weak and the practice of what the British call "tailgating" — walking closely behind ticket holders to get through entrances — should become a criminal offence.
Offenders across England and Wales will face a five-year soccer banning order, as well as a fine of up to 1,000 pounds ($1,340) starting this weekend, it was announced on Friday.
Sarah Jones, the government's policing minister, said it would be a "great deterrent."
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"It cannot be right," she said, "that some people pay and some people don't and that people are put at risk, in danger, when people are tailgating."
There was previously no specific legal penalties for attending a soccer 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.
AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer