LONDON: London Metropolitan Police on Wednesday defends their handling in the Euro 2020 Hooliganism Final Sunday at Wembley Stadium and said the exhibition events may have been abandoned without their intervention.
Senior Officer Jane Connors said Met had planned widely for the match and mobilized trained public order officers who conquered ticket supporters who tried to enter the stadium.
“I did not accept the police operation failed and I supported the difficult decisions made by police officers and the public commandment commander met,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner.
“Without their direct intervention, there is a possibility that this game can be abandoned.” The Commissioner met and lacked the pressure of Cressida Dick had been criticized for handling Sunday matches.
British fans allegedly yawned forged waiters and tickets to enter the stadium, causing the chaos that defender Harry Maguire said he had left his father injured.
Guardian newspaper quoted an anonymous supporter by saying ticket fans using a messaging application telegram to share advice about security violations before and during interruption, adding anecdotal evidence of planned violations.
Maguire said his father suffered two alleged ribs broken and struggled to breathe after being trapped in the incident.
Alan Maguire, 56, and Manchester United Player agent, Kenneth Shepherd was trampled by desperate ticket fans to watch matches between England and Italy.
“It was not a pleasant experience – it shook it.
It was scary.
I don’t want anyone to experience that in a soccer match,” said Maguire to the England tabloid The Sun.
A 24-year-old man – identified with a pseudonym “Pablo” – told the Guardian that the Telegram group contained hundreds of people looking for tickets and assistance in security violations, estimating 5,000 people scientifically entering Wembley.
He said fans agreed to the waiter, some reportedly with only £ 20 ($ 28, 23 euros), and others faked tickets with their names by changing the original ticket photos to get entries.
About 300 supporters were poured through the disabled entrance when they opened, the source said, added many reports that some fans cut them down with the original ticket past the rotating door.
Alan Maguire, who was injured in the subsequent violence disorder, did not ask for medical treatment as an English supporter was overwhelmed to enter the stadium and occupy the paying seat.
“My father is a big fan – he continued with it.
He struggled with his breath because of his ribs, but he wasn’t one to make a big commotion,” said Harry Maguire.
“He was lucky because every match he had with my niece or one of my children on his shoulder,” added the 28-year-old player.
The UEFA European Football Management Agency on Tuesday accused the English Football Association for poor scenes and would appoint “Ethics and Discipline Inspector” to investigate pre-match incidents.
Infraction includes Italian National Anthem Booing fans, fireworks lighting, mid-match pitch invasion and supporters throwing objects.
The police made 86 arrests and 19 officers were injured.
The police promised to investigate racist abuse reports from three Black England players who missed punishment, which in turn triggered the outpouring of support for them from fans.
A petition to ban racists permanently from soccer matches, which was made in response to harassment, had collected more than one million signatures in just two days.
Maguire condemned the behavior of fans who were naughty in the match, which had encouraged the speculation could endanger efforts with England-Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup final.
He said the actions of the fans were “completely wrong” and said his father would still go to The match but now it will be more aware.
“Things can be much worse but we have to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he added.
Italy won a 3-2 penalty match after a 1-1 draw after extra time to claim their first European championship title since 1968.
Euro 2020 final ‘can be abandoned’: Police
