Met Police secure first EVER charge for tailgating at a football match during Arsenal v Man City at Wembley

He is scheduled to appear before Willesden Magistrates' Court on Friday May 1 regarding the alleged offence.

Two additional men detained on suspicion of the same crime at the stadium remain in police custody.

Those found guilty of entering matches without valid tickets could receive banning orders lasting up to five years, and fines reaching £1,000.

The new legislation making it a criminal offence to enter football grounds in England and Wales without a ticket took effect just after midnight on Sunday.

Parliament introduced the law in response to the chaotic scenes that marred the European Championship final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021, when thousands of supporters stormed the venue without valid entry.

The Carabao Cup Final represented the first major test of the new powers, with police able to pursue criminal charges against those attempting to gain unauthorised access to matches from the moment the legislation came into force.

Compared with last year's equivalent fixture, which saw 91 people taken into custody, the Met recorded a dramatic 78 per cent fall in offences at this year's final.

Officers made a total of 20 arrests throughout the day, with seven individuals detained for affray.

One person was arrested for assaulting an emergency service worker, while another faced charges of racially aggravated assault.

The significant reduction in incidents suggests the enhanced security measures and new legislative powers may have deterred potential troublemakers from attempting to enter the stadium without authenticated tickets.

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden, serving as match commander at Wembley and part of the Met's public order unit, praised the operation's success.

He said: "So much strategic planning goes into these operations. We expect high standards and every officer delivered that today.

"Huge changes have been implemented since last year, and we will now use the success of the policing operation today as a blueprint throughout the busy summer at Wembley so fans can safely enjoy upcoming fixtures".

Separately, another individual was arrested on suspicion of tailgating at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during their match against Nottingham Forest, and has been released on bail while investigations continue.