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Two football fans have become the first people in England to be banned under new laws targeting tailgating and unauthorised entry at matches.
The offences took place during this season’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
First two fans banned for tailgating during Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium
The Football Association has confirmed that two supporters have been handed three-year football banning orders after illegally entering Wembley during the 2026 Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City.
The punishments are the first to be issued under the new Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act, which came into force shortly before the final.
The law makes tailgating and any attempt to enter a stadium without a valid ticket a criminal offence, punishable by a fine and a football banning order.
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Kamal McEwan, from London, became the first person in the country to receive a banning order under the legislation. He was fined £471 and banned from football matches for three years.
Alex Clark, from Waltham Cross, was also given a three-year ban. He was ordered to pay £1,862 after being found guilty of unauthorised entry as well as possession of a Class A drug.
A third man charged under the new law is due to appear in court next month.
Wembley Stadium director Mark Lynch said the cases showed the legislation was already having an immediate impact, while the Metropolitan Police said the rulings should act as a warning to others.
FGG says: A significant change for stadium security
These are important rulings because they show the new legislation is going to be enforced straight away.
Tailgating has become a growing problem at major matches in recent years, particularly at Wembley, where thousands of supporters have previously tried to gain entry without tickets.
The hope is that clear punishments like these will deter others and make matches safer for genuine supporters, staff and stewards.
At the same time, it is another reminder that football authorities are becoming far stricter on crowd safety and disorder, with lengthy bans now a very real risk for anyone tempted to try it.