A football fan has become the first person charged under the UK’s new ‘tailgating' legislation following its introduction this weekend.
The case comes just hours after the law came into force ahead of a major domestic final at Wembley Stadium.
New ‘tailgating' law came into effect just hours before Arsenal vs Man City clash
The new offence, which makes entering a stadium without a valid ticket illegal, was enforced for the first time during the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
A 27-year-old man has now been charged with ‘tailgating', becoming the first person in the UK to face prosecution under the new law. He is now due to appear at court in May, per the BBC.
Police also confirmed that two other men were arrested on suspicion of the same offence at Wembley and remain in custody, while another individual was detained at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during a separate fixture.
The legislation was introduced following the chaos at the UEFA Euro 2020 Final, where thousands of ticketless fans forced entry into Wembley, raising serious safety concerns.
Those found guilty under the new rules could face fines of up to £1,000 and football banning orders of up to five years.
FGG says: An early sign that new stadium law will be enforced
The quick charge suggests authorities are serious about enforcing the new rules from day one.
This development was almost inevitable once the legislation came into force, as high-profile matches like a Wembley final are always likely to be the first real test.
While some may view the penalties as strict, the events of 2021 showed the risks posed by uncontrolled entry. If consistently applied, the law should act as a deterrent, though its long-term effectiveness will depend on enforcement at all levels of the game.