Violent Manchester City & Chelsea Fans Banned from Traveling to Club World Cup

The UK government has banned around 150 Manchester City and Chelsea fans with a history of violent conduct from traveling to the FIFA Club World Cup in the US.

The British interior ministry has announced that approximately 150 Manchester City and Chelsea fans with a history of violent conduct will be prohibited from traveling during the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer.

To prevent football-related disorder at the tournament, fans of the two clubs who are already subject to a football banning order due to previous violent behavior will be required to surrender their passports to the police from June 9 to July 13. This measure aims to ensure that those with a record of thuggish behavior do not disrupt the event.

Policing Minister Diana Johnson emphasized the importance of safety and enjoyment for Manchester City and Chelsea fans traveling to support their teams in this summer's tournament. “Many Manchester City and Chelsea fans will want to travel to support their teams in this summer's tournament and we want them all to do so safely and enjoyably,” Johnson said in a statement.

BREAKING: Known troublemakers who support Chelsea and Manchester City will be stopped from going to US for the Club World Cup this summer. pic.twitter.com/s8jlfcn99d

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 2, 2025

However, Johnson also warned that the government will take a strong stance against troublemakers who use football as an excuse for criminal behavior. “But for the tiny minority of troublemakers who use football as an excuse for criminality, we will be applying the same proven preventative measures that we have successfully done for other overseas tournaments,” she added.

To enforce this, the Football Banning Orders Authority will contact fans who have previously been involved in violent behavior, and failure to comply with the rules could result in severe penalties, including an unlimited fine or a six-month prison sentence. As of last year, there were 2,172 football banning orders in force in England and Wales, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat football-related violence.

Manchester City and Chelsea fans who have been subject to a football banning order (FBO) will be prevented from travelling to this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States after new legislation from the UK Home Office.

Around 150 fans of the two clubs will have to… pic.twitter.com/3H4eHDt3bG

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 2, 2025