European football’s governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings and charged England’s Football Association (FA) over disturbances during the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley.
Key points:
- Police say 86 people were arrested and 19 officers were injured
- Reports say the unrest at Wembley could hurt England and Ireland’s 2030 World Cup bid
- Formula 1 driver Lando Norris was mugged outside the stadium, and had his $74,000 watch stolen
UEFA also said it had appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to conduct a separate investigation into the “events involving supporters which occurred inside and around the stadium”.
The final, which Italy won in a penalty shootout, was marred by clashes between fans and officials in and around the stadium.
London’s Metropolitan Police said 19 officers were injured and 86 people had been arrested so far, 53 of them at the national stadium.
Footage showed mobs of people forcing their way into the stadium before the game. There were also disturbances in central London.
The charges against the FA include invasion of the field of play by its supporters, throwing of objects by its supporters, disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem, and lighting of a firework.
Boos were heard around the stadium when the Italian anthem was played before kick-off while a pitch invader interrupted the match, with the referee stopping play while the stewards chased him down.
“The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body in due course,” UEFA said.
AP: David Cliff
)Reports in the UK suggest the violence in London could come at a cost for England and Ireland’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup, with Spain and Portugal now said to be favoured by UEFA.
Police had urged fans not to travel to Wembley if they did not have a ticket. However, fans breached security cordons and charged into the stadium.
The FA said it would conduct a full review into the security breach.
It condemned the behaviour of fans who forced their way into the stadium and apologised to those who had tickets for the “unprecedented level of public disorder”.
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British Formula One driver Lando Norris was mugged at the game and had a watch worth more than $74,000 stolen, with his McLaren team saying the 21-year-old was “understandably shaken”.
The aftermath of the match was also marred by racist abuse directed at black English players.
Last week the FA was fined $47,000 after a laser pointer was shone at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during what proved to be the deciding moment of their Euro 2020 semi-final with England.
The FA was also charged for fans booing during the Danish anthem and for setting off fireworks.
ABC/Reuters
