Yahoo News Euro 2020: Fans storm security gate, enter Wembley Stadium before final vs. Italy
Warning: Some videos included in the following article show graphic violence.
England fans eagerly awaited the start of the Euro 2020 final against Italy, but a chunk of fans outside Wembley Stadium got tired of waiting, leading to some scary scenes.
An unknown number of ticketless fans stormed a security gate outside the stadium, overwhelming security personnel as they attempted to get inside.
Wembley was briefly locked down after ticketless fans breached a section of stadium and stormed into concourse. Police on horseback brought in to deal with the situation. Stadium security very jumpy
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
Wembley rn pic.twitter.com/3lXRRvG7d0
— Rave Footage 🎥 (@RaveFootage) July 11, 2021
We witnessed this and I stepped away just in time. If this is even crossing your mind, don’t. You don’t get far. Please don’t ruin it for everyone at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/CoNx4U4CHb
— Michelle Owen (@MichelleOwen7) July 11, 2021
It appears the breach was more serious than anyone thought. Numbers that broke through at least in the hundreds. pic.twitter.com/qM1ngYzyI8
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
One video shows the storming fans being violent, punching and kicking other fans.
Unbelievable footage of violence in Wembley tonight. A literal child gets punched by a full grown man and an Asian man is kicked repeatedly in the head by several people. Disgusting behaviour. pic.twitter.com/NLtvjgF8Fe
— Kyle Glen (@KyleJGlen) July 11, 2021
It appears that hundreds of fans were able to get through the first set of security checkpoints. A statement from a Wembley spokesperson said that no fans were able to get through to the actual stadium.
Wembley Stadium spokesperson statement on fan trouble outside the ground: pic.twitter.com/A2ZcqqnmFK
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) July 11, 2021
"We are dealing with an incident that occurred at the other security perimeter area of the stadium, with support from police. Safety measures were quickly activated in the relevant areas and there were no security breaches of people without tickets getting inside the stadium."
Ticketless fans inside Wembley
Despite the initial statement from Wembley, reporters on the inside tweeted that fans had indeed gained entry to the stadium.
A group of at least 50 have just burst into the stadium. Stewards powerless. Police nowhere to be seen.
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) July 11, 2021
Update on this: Wembley stadium saying arena wasn't breached, but eyewitnesses say there were at least two major breaches where people rushed through. One witness said he saw more than 100 come through one of the disabled entrances. Some injuries, too.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
Miguel Delaney of the Independent reported that fans are asking media to actively cover the issue and Wembley staff has no idea what to do.
Fans literally coming up to the press box telling us to report on the situation in the concourse. Can visibly see fans without seats - stewards looking at superiors asking “what can we do?”
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 11, 2021
New York Times reporter Tariq Panja tweeted a photo of fans in the aisles. He also said that Wembley staff have been clearing the congested concourses, but there aren't enough people to take care of it.
fire marshals and health safety officials have called for stewards to help clear the congested areas but it seems as though there aren't enough stewards to do this. UEFA very lucky that 90,000 tickets were not actually sold.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
Wembley officials eventually released a new statement, confirming that ticketless fans had forced their way into the stadium.
Wembley finally acknowledging there's been a breach of the stadium (hard not to given the number of videos and witnesses): "We are now working closely with stadium stewards and security to remove these people. Anyone inside the stadium without a ticket will be instantly ejected."
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
Panja also tweeted a video of a standoff between fans and security outside the stadium.
Police outside the stadium now in a standoff with a few thousand. Have had bottles thrown at them. Police spotter says she’s expecting worse at full time pic.twitter.com/WNr0q3MCF8
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
He was also able to get a picture of the door many of the ticketless fans charged through.
This is the door that was breached for the first of three times at about 6pm. Steward there says it was pandemonium with “shoes flying everywhere” and folks falling on top of one another. pic.twitter.com/Rb7CB9VDSj
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) July 11, 2021
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