Two men convicted and banned for tailgating for the first time in English football history

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

Two football fans have been convicted and given a stadium ban for tailgating for the first time in English football history.

'Tailgating' is performed by standing close behind someone who has a legitimate match ticket and going through the turnstile in one transaction.

Up until the League Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City, football fans without a ticket were simply ejected from the stadium, if caught, but now they will be prosecuted. The authorities believe the threat of criminal charges will act as a deterrent to stop people from attempting to illegally access stadiums.

Following that final three men were arrested and two given three-year bans from football.

The first man, Kamal McEwan, has been fined £471 for unauthorised entry while the second, Alex Clark, was fined £1,862 for unauthorised entry and possession of a Class A drug.

The third man is set to appear in court on 10 May.

"This new legislation is already having a real and immediate impact," said Wembley Stadium director Mark Lynch.

"Previously, there were no specific criminal penalties for those trying to enter the stadium without a ticket, placing significant pressure on our crowd safety teams. This new legislation now closes that gap and ensures offenders are dealt with appropriately.

"These cases send a clear message that any attempt to gain unauthorised access to football matches will not be tolerated and will result in firm action including large fines and lengthy football banning orders."

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Our officers acted quickly and decisively at the Carabao Cup final, and these convictions demonstrate that antisocial, dangerous and criminal behaviour at football matches will be met with firm enforcement action."

News laws a deterrent

Prior to the League Cup final, two officials promised punishment for those attempting to enter games without a ticket.

"Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened," said policing minister Sarah Jones.

"We're giving the police the tools they need to ensure the chaos we saw at Wembley five years ago never happens again.

"Anyone who endangers others by forcing their way into stadiums faces serious consequences."

Lynch said: "Attempts to tailgate or force entry into football stadiums places a huge strain on crowd safety teams and puts legitimate ticket holders at risk of overcrowding or injury.

"This new legislation will make football safer for fans with genuine tickets, and we are pleased that it will come into effect ahead of a busy period of football matches at Wembley Stadium."

Depending on the severity of the offence, fans could be banned for as much as five years, while fines will start at a minumum of £1,000.

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