FA backs plans for huge new gated perimeter fencing at Wembley Stadium after 2,000 ticketless yobs stormed arena in Euro 2020 chaos
- England’s first major tournament final since 1966 was marred by ugly scenes
- Ticketless fans breaching security and forcing their way into the concourses
- Review found multiple ‘near-misses’ which may have resulted in injury or death
- Last week, a planning application was submitted to Brent Council for fencing
The FA has backed plans for new gated perimeter fencing around Wembley Stadium after the Euro 2020 final chaos that saw thousands of ticketless yobs gain entry.
England’s first major tournament final since 1966 was marred by ugly scenes of ticketless fans breaching security and forcing their way into the concourses in July last year.
A review conducted by Baroness Casey last year found there were more than 20 ‘near-misses’ which could have resulted in serious injury or death connected to the chaos surrounding the fixture.
Last week, Wembley National Stadium Ltd – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the FA – submitted an application to Brent Council.
England’s first major tournament final since 1966 was marred by ugly scenes outside Wembley in July last year
A review conducted by Baroness Casey last year found there were more than 20 ‘near-misses’ which could have resulted in serious injury or death
Around 2,000 ticketless individuals are said to have gained entry to Wembley on the day, with 400 ejected
The application included ‘installation of fencing and roller shutters (B1 and B2 Steps), external alterations to existing Club Wembley, staff, media and VIP entrances and staff fire exit, with perimeter fencing introduced adjacent staff and media entrances (all at Level B2)’.
An FA spokesperson said: ‘We have submitted a planning application to Brent Council for new secure entrance portals around the entry points on our B2 level.
‘These are part of the works we are carrying out, based on the Casey Review recommendations.’
The planning application comes after Baroness Casey’s review made eight recommendations in all.
They included the FA and Wembley National Stadium Limited strengthening safety plans, including ‘physical fences and means of separating and filtering unticketed fans from those with legitimate access’.
Fans gathering in Wembley Way ahead of the Euro 2020 final between Italy and England in July last year
Her review found that around 2,000 ticketless individuals gained entry to Wembley on the day, with 400 ejected.
The individuals were found to have gained entry by tailgating or involvement in one of 17 mass breaches of disabled access gates and emergency fire doors.
Those ticketless individuals created the extremely high likelihood of fatalities, according to Eric Stuart – a security expert who contributed to the review.
The UK and Ireland are bidding to host the men’s Euros in 2028, with a decision set to be taken by UEFA next autumn.
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