The Culture, Media, and Sport (CMS) Committee of the House of Commons is recommending legislative action to address unauthorised entry at football matches, prompted by the unrest witnessed during the Euro 2020 finals at Wembley Stadium.
In the aftermath of the England-Italy match in July 2021, where an estimated 2,000 fans breached Wembley without tickets following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Dame Louise Casey’s review identified a group of “6,000 or more ticketless fans, many of whom were no more than mindless thugs,” attempting entry, posing potential risks, and raising concerns about safety.
The CMS committee, chaired by Dame Caroline Dineage, is advocating for preventative measures to avoid a recurrence of such incidents. Dame Caroline emphasized the increasing problem of tailgating and unauthorised entry at high-profile matches, risking safety through overcrowding. She stated, “Those involved should know that they will face consequences, and the government should back legislation to ensure they can be banned.”
The committee is urging government support for the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kevin Brennan, scheduled for a provisional vote in the house in February.
In addition to legislative proposals, the committee’s report calls for expanded trials on safe standing, a heightened focus on addressing the use of Class A drugs at sports events by police and clubs, measures to monitor and combat anti-social behavior and discrimination, and steps to ensure stadium accessibility.
The report also advocates for the establishment of guidelines for the role of stewards, coupled with a call for an “appropriate wage” to be set.
Beyond the Euro 2020 incident, the committee’s review extended to the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, where Liverpool fans with valid tickets were denied entry due to actions by police and match organizers. The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities was termed “disgraceful,” with the blame for the disruption wrongly placed on the fans.
Dame Caroline emphasized the need for the government to collaborate with overseas counterparts to enhance the role of British police traveling with teams and to improve coordination with local forces, addressing the often unacceptable treatment of innocent British supporters by foreign police forces during major European games.