Wembley Stadium have confirmed that 51 arrests were made across the FA Cup semi-final weekend. The two matches took place earlier this month.
Fans from Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Coventry descended on the national stadium, each set of supporters eager to see their side progress to the final. The arrests included one individual taken into custody for causing harm to a police horse.
The arrests come as Wembley prepares to host the Champions League final, the first major European showpiece since Euro 2020. An independent review commissioned by the Football Association claimed that disorder at the final between England and Italy was a 'source of national shame' and could have led to 'fatalities'.
86 people were arrested on that after thousands of fans without tickets forced their way into the stadium, though Wembley claims that they have implemented several security 'enhancements' at recent events. A statement confirming details about the arrests over the FA Cup semi-final weekend read: «The police made 28 arrests at Chelsea v Manchester City on Saturday, and a further 23 arrests at the Coventry City v Manchester United game the following day.
»Just under half of all arrests were for matters linked to pyrotechnics, tailgating and hate crimes, including two individuals arrested for tragedy chanting and homophobic abuse. More than a fifth of the total arrests were for drug-related offences. Six of the arrests were violence-related, involving three assaults on emergency workers. One fan was arrested for harming a police horse."
Metropolitan Police superintendent Gerry Parker, who will be match commander for both theFA Cup and Champions League finals, added: «Our stance has been robust throughout the season,
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