A spectator is tackled by security after invading the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup, second-round match at Cherry Red Records Stadium, London. PA
A spectator is tackled by security after invading the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup, second-round match at Cherry Red Records Stadium, London. PA
A spectator is tackled by security after invading the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup, second-round match at Cherry Red Records Stadium, London. PA
A spectator is tackled by security after invading the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup, second-round match at Cherry Red Records Stadium, London. PA

MPs propose penalty for ticket-dodging at football


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

Members of Parliament have put forward a suggestion to make unauthorised entry into football matches a criminal offence.

The proposal comes after the disorder at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

The House of Commons culture, media and sport committee, after an inquiry into spectator safety issues, highlighted concerns from incidents at Wembley and problems faced by Liverpool fans at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.

The proposal is a response to the situation during the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, where fans without tickets tried to enter Wembley using fake tickets, tailgating, or by force.

Currently, there is no distinct criminal offence for unauthorised stadium entry. The committee is advocating for the government to support a bill introduced by member Kevin Brennan.

This bill aims to create such an offence and to allow the imposition of football banning orders on conviction.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the committee, highlighted the issue of tailgating and other forms of unauthorised entry, noting the safety risks from overcrowding at high-profile matches.

“Those involved should know that they will face consequences and the government should back legislation to ensure they can be banned,” she said.

The committee criticised the treatment of Liverpool fans at the Stade de France in Paris, where fans with legitimate tickets were denied entry, and the police used pepper spray and tear gas.

Liverpool fans queue to enter the Stade de France as kick-off was delayed for the Uefa Champions League Final against Real Madrid at the Stade de France, Paris, in 2022. PA
Liverpool fans queue to enter the Stade de France as kick-off was delayed for the Uefa Champions League Final against Real Madrid at the Stade de France, Paris, in 2022. PA

The committee described the treatment of Liverpool fans as “disgraceful” and pointed out the often problematic attitude of foreign police towards British fans.

Dame Dinenage urged the government to work with overseas officials to strengthen the role of British police accompanying teams abroad and to enhance collaboration with local forces.

This effort aims to better protect British fans attending major football games outside the UK.

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Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

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7.40pm: Dubai Icon

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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F1 The Movie

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Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

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Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

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Messi at the Copa America

2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final

2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals

2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

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Price, base: Dhs850,000
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Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

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Buy farm-fresh food

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In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food. 

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Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
Updated: December 29, 2023, 12:01 AM`