Arsenal have received a suspended £500,000 fine for breaching FA Cup ticketing rules during their match against Manchester United.
Arsenal has been handed a suspended fine of £500,000 by the Professional Game Board (PGB) for breaching FA Cup regulations during their third-round tie against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
The breach relates to a failure to allocate the full 15% of stadium capacity to away supporters, as required under FA Cup Rule 192.
The rule stipulates that visiting clubs must receive up to 15% of available tickets, capped at 9,000, provided a request is made within four days of the draw. Manchester United were granted 7,956 tickets for the match, which amounted to roughly 13% of the Emirates’ capacity. Arsenal cited safety restrictions that prevented the full 9,000 allocation from being accommodated.
The local Safety Advisory Group ruled out the use of the upper tier in the Clock End for away fans, and the visiting supporters were housed in an extended section of the lower tier. This resulted in approximately 1,000 empty seats in that area. The PGB concluded that Arsenal had breached FA Cup Rule 192 and imposed the suspended fine.
The sanction will only be enforced if the club fails to demonstrate full compliance in future rounds of the competition. Arsenal must meet the 15% requirement for the 2025-26 third round and maintain compliance throughout this season’s campaign. The fine is not immediate, with the PGB’s ruling effectively serving as a warning designed to ensure adherence going forward.
Arsenal is expected to work closely with the FA and local authorities to ensure any future visiting allocation meets the tournament’s standards while remaining consistent with safety protocols. This situation marks a rare disciplinary case of its kind in the FA Cup.
The Emirates has successfully accommodated full away allocations in the past, including nearly 9,000 Lincoln City fans during a 2017 quarter-final. Arsenal’s third-round meeting with Manchester United last season ended in a 1-1 draw before the visitors advanced on penalties.
The suspended fine serves as a reminder for Arsenal to prioritize ticketing arrangements for future home fixtures in domestic cup competitions. With the FA Cup competition underway, Arsenal will aim to comply with the rules and avoid any potential penalties.
