Posted on 27th June 2025
Facial recognition turnstiles: Why supporters should be concerned
Earlier this month, FSA members approved a motion at our AGM to oppose the introduction of facial recognition technology at the turnstiles in the English game.
The motion calls for “an immediate freeze on facial recognition technology being used at turnstiles or inside stadia until further notice.”
Additionally, it commits the FSA to oppose the adoption of the technology until “transparent and meaningful dialogue has taken place at a national level with fans, leagues, the FA, civil rights groups and the Information Commissioner’s Office on its legality and privacy concerns.”
Here we take a look at the issue and why fans have begun to express their opposition to facial recognition technology.
Manchester City take first steps
The motion was brought to our conference by Manchester City’s MCFC Fans Foodbank Support group and was seconded by the club’s atmosphere group 1894, and Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
They were motivated by news at the end of May announcing Manchester City’s plans to install a new turnstile system that came equipped with facial recognition cameras. This is something the club had reportedly attempted to introduce back in 2019 before abandoning its plans.
New turnstile system at the Etihad Stadium complete with facial recognition cameras
Supporters remain unconvinced by the club’s claims that a facial recognition turnstile system was only to allow matchday staff easier movement throughout the Etihad Stadium on matchdays – with fans worried that the scope of the system will grow to encompass matchgoing fans in future.
Nick Clarke from MCFC Fans Foodbank Support said: “Our concern is that these cameras will also be used to implement and enforce increasingly aggressive, draconian and restrictive ticketing policies, which seem disproportionately aimed at season ticket holders in particular.”
Manchester City’s provider for the camera turnstiles are Teamcard, who also have hardware in place at the Bet365 Stadium, Turf Moor, Portman Road and Hull City.
Facial ID rolls out in South America
Facial recognition turnstiles are now commonplace in South American football, particularly in Argentina and Brazil.
New legislation in Brazil means any stadium over 20,000 capacity has to have facial recognition turnstiles by law, this came into effect in June this year. The Brazilian Government says the measures aim to tackle disorder and football-related violence.
Private providers have systems in place at Brazil’s largest stadiums and the biometric information they collect is integrated with city police databases to flag supporters that have outstanding arrest warrants or other legal restrictions on them. São Paulo Public Security Secretariat says that 220 arrests have already been made thanks to the system.
Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority has previously raised concerns about the practice, particularly around the handling of biometric data of children and adolescent supporters – calling for greater transparency around how clubs are collecting and using supporters’ biometric information.
Back in December, one of Argentina’s most famous clubs River Plate unveiled their new facial recognition turnstile system – making their 85,000 capacity Mâs Monumental stadium the largest in the world to exclusively use face ID access.
To gain entry, River Plate supporters are required to pre-register biometrics with a smartphone by uploading a selfie and an ID document which the system then crosschecks on matchdays.
Privacy worries
Clubs and authorities often issue reassurances about how our biometric data is handled and stored. However, recent high-profile failures around privacy and data handling from some of the world’s biggest tech firms have shown how fraught this can be.
Shocking cases of leaks or misuse of sensitive personal data have been reported with Tesla car cameras, Amazon’s Alexa home assistants and Ring doorbells and even automated vacuum company Roomba.
All of these alarming breaches came despite assurances that privacy would be respected and that data gathered would be handled safely and securely.
What next?
In the coming months, the FSA will be raising awareness of the issues and concerns around facial recognition technology: engaging with national media, fan groups and human rights organisations.
Additionally, we’ll engage with football authorities and the Information Commissioner’s Office, outlining concerns – asking for supporters and the data protection regulator to be involved in meaningful and transparent discussions and consultation around the ethics, legality, proportionality and fairness of its use.
Those communications will also express concerns over its potential use in targeting season ticket holders for more draconian enforcement of ticketing policies.
