Major change to football ticket laws to tackle dangerous pattern of behaviour

A new law put forward by Labour’s Linsey Farnsworth will see fans who force or trick their way into football grounds hit with long banning orders and fines

Football fans who force and trick their way into grounds without a ticket will face lengthy bans and fines of up to £1,000 under a new law.

MPs backed a call by Labour backbencher Linsey Farnsworth to ramp up punishments to prevent a repeat of disgraceful scenes at the Euro 2020 final and the 2024 Champions League final. Ms Farnsworth’s Bill passed its final hurdle in the Commons – and she said she hopes legislation covering events like concerts will follow.

The Amber Valley MP said: “This isn’t a trivial matter, it has significant consequences for fans in the stadium and stewards and staff.” Ms Farnsworth, an Everton supporter, said she had witnessed tailgaiting – where fans without tickets follow those who do through barriers – at the Carabao final at Wembley.

And she told MPs of two friends who were left terrified at the Euro 2020 final between England and Spain, when more than 1,000 ticketless thugs forced their way into the stadium.

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They found the experience “extremely frightening” and have not attended an England game since, Ms Farnsworth said. The Labour backbencher said her Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill will target those who deliberately use fake tickets, force their way in or pretend to be stadium staff.

Those convicted will be slapped with five year banning orders, meaning they cannot attend matches in that time. They also face fines and repeat offenders could be jailed by magistrates.

And she added that similar legislation could follow covering other types of events. “I hope Parliament may consider legislation that expands the logic of this Bill,” Ms Farnsworth said.

Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said: “This is a wider pattern of behaviour that needs to be addressed. Such behaviour isn’t only selfish and dishonest, it’s fundamentally dangerous.”

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