Police made 51 arrests across the FA Cup semi-final weekend at Wembley, including two individuals arrested for alleged tragedy chanting and homophobic abuse.
There were 28 arrests at Saturday’s semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City, before a further 23 arrests were made at Sunday’s semi-final between Manchester United and Coventry City.
Advertisement
Nearly half the arrests were related to pyrotechnics, tailgating and hate crimes, while more than a fifth were for drug related offences.
Six of the arrests were violence related; this included three for assaults on emergency workers and one fan arrested over harm to a police horse.
Metropolitan police superintendent Gerry Parker said: “Our stance has been robust throughout the season, there is no tolerance for drug use, assaults or hate crimes.
“We know the overwhelming majority of football fans at matches are law abiding and our officers will be there to deal with any supporters identified for committing offences inside and in the vicinity of the stadium.”
Parker, who will be the match commander for May’s FA Cup final and the Champions League final in June, which both take place at Wembley, continued: “We are working closely with Wembley, the FA and UEFA in preparation for the FA Cup and Champions League finals to ensure the safety of everyone attending.”
Eight individuals were arrested at last month’s FA Cup quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The arrests come ahead of Wembley hosting the Champions League final, the first major UEFA men’s final England’s national stadium will have held since Euro 2020.
An independent review commissioned by the Football Association stated fan disorder at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy was a “source of national shame” and could have led to “fatalities”.
The Metropolitan Police arrested 86 people during and following the final for public order offences, actual bodily harm, drunk and disorderly behaviour and criminal damage after 2,000 ticketless fans forced their way into Wembley Stadium.
(Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
