Wembley Stadium makes FA Cup announcement impacting Man City vs Chelsea and Coventry vs Man Utd

Wembley Stadium is set to implement additional security measures for the upcoming FA Cup semi-finals.

Manchester City are set to clash with Chelsea on Saturday at 5.15pm, while Manchester United will face Coventry at 3.30pm on Sunday. The FA Cup final is scheduled to take place at the national stadium on May 25.

Extra ticket checks and security lanes will be part of the enhanced safety protocols for both matches this weekend. The stadium is also ramping up its security in preparation for hosting the Champions League final on June 1.

The last two Champions League finals in Paris in 2022 and Istanbul last summer experienced issues with fans gaining access to the stadium. There was also significant disorder ahead of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

To prevent a repeat of these incidents, fans can expect to undergo additional ticket checks outside the stadium. Security lanes and extra signage will guide supporters as they enter the stadium.

A statement on the Wembley Stadium website reads: "Fans will be asked to show their tickets to stewards in advance of entering the stadium at all entrance points on to the stadium concourse. Please have your tickets ready to show stewards, for access to the concourses, and then again at turnstiles.

"Security lanes will be used to direct the flow of people and ensure fans enter the stadium via the correct zone. Please follow the colour-coded signage to your turnstile or ask a steward if you are unsure where to go."

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It adds: "Wembley Stadium works closely with the Police for every event, and it operates a zero-tolerance policy for any form of illegal, anti-social, offensive and discriminatory conduct. Anyone found to have committed offences of this nature face being refused access to, or ejected from the stadium with potential of stadium bans, football banning orders and criminal prosecutions for any perpetrators."

Stadium director Chris Bryant said: "We have been trialling many of the changes at events over the last 12 months. Now, as we approach the busy end of the football season, we will be putting in place the final pieces of the plan. The enhancements will improve the safety and enjoyment for everyone visiting Wembley Stadium."

Brent Borough Council will also conduct extra patrols to enforce the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which exists around Wembley Stadium, and which bans street drinking, ticket touting and the use of pyrotechnic equipment, with on-the-spot fines of up to £100.

Councillor Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Realm, said: “Since the introduction of the PSPO we have seen a huge improvement, with less anti-social behaviour on match days.

“So I am glad we continue to support Wembley Stadium events with increased powers so that we are set for some fantastic days ahead for everyone in our borough and across the world.”