Manchester City and Chelsea fans who have football banning orders will be required to surrender their passports during the Club World Cup in the United States this summer

This summer, the revamped Club World Cup is set to take place in the United States, beginning on June 14.

For the first time, the competition will feature 32 teams, and both recent Champions League winners, Manchester City and Chelsea, will be battling it out for the prestigious trophy.

The tournament will run until July 13, attracting attention from around the world.

Tough Measures for Trouble-Making Fans

However, not all fans will be able to attend the competition.

Around 150 supporters of Manchester City and Chelsea who are known troublemakers will face strict travel restrictions.

These fans will be required to surrender their passports for the duration of the tournament.

Letters notifying these fans of the passport surrender will be sent out soon.

Those who fail to comply could face serious consequences, including up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine.

This measure will primarily affect fans who are already subject to football banning orders, preventing them from attending matches.

Rising Football-Related Arrests Lead to Stricter Rules

This move comes after an increase in football-related arrests.

According to the Home Office, during the 2023-24 season, there were 2,584 football-related arrests, a 14% rise compared to the previous season.

Much of the increase was driven by arrests for class A drugs and incidents tied to overseas tournaments.

As a result, there are now over 2,170 football banning orders in force, with 825 new orders issued, marking a 21% increase.

Government Steps Up Measures to Combat Hooliganism

Policing Minister Dame Diane Johnson emphasized that while most Manchester City and Chelsea fans will be able to travel and enjoy the tournament safely, the government will not tolerate violence or disorder.

She explained that the measures taken in this case are similar to those applied during other overseas tournaments, and the aim is to keep football events safe for the majority of fans.

“The Safer Streets Mission and our government’s Plan for Change are designed to crack down on the small number of troublemakers while allowing the vast majority to enjoy the game without incident,” she said.

What’s at Stake for City and Chelsea

Both Manchester City and Chelsea will have a lot to prove as they compete in this new format.

With the world watching, they’ll be aiming to take home the Club World Cup trophy, which has become an increasingly important title on the international stage.