A 27-year-old man has become the first person in the UK to be convicted of tailgating at a football match, receiving a three-year ban from attending games and a fine. Benjamin Bailey, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was arrested on March 22 after tailgating at the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.
Bailey admitted the offence at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was handed a three-year football banning order and fined £230, according to the HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Tailgating, which involves entering a stadium without a valid ticket by following closely behind a ticketed fan, became a criminal offence in 2025 following widespread disorder at the Euro 2020 final.
Background of the Legislation
During the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, approximately 2,000 ticketless fans gained entry to Wembley Stadium, causing significant disruption and damage. Around 100,000 people had gathered at the venue, and 17 mass breaches of gates occurred in the 90 minutes before kick-off and during the penalty shootout. The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act was subsequently introduced to address this issue.
Scope of the Law
The legislation makes it illegal to knowingly attempt to enter a football match with forged tickets, passes, or accreditation documents, or by pretending to be a member of the stadium or playing staff. Bailey is the first individual to be charged and convicted under this new law.
Authorities hope the conviction will serve as a deterrent to others considering similar actions. Football banning orders can include restrictions on attending matches, traveling to certain areas on match days, and reporting to police stations during games.
