In response to many pitch invader attempts to snap pictures with Portugal’s star scorer Cristiano Ronaldo,
Uefa has decided to step up security for the remainder of Euro 2024.The European football governing body
told AFP on Sunday that “safety and security in the stadium, on the pitch, and at team facilities are the
ultimate priority for Uefa.”
“To this end, additional safety measures will be deployed in the stadiums to further meet the requirements of
the tournament, and to prevent such incidents.”
Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain was struck by a security guard who was attempting to stop a pitch
invader from getting to Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez, the coach of Portugal, said it was fortunate that the fans
who ran onto the field were merely attempting to get pictures.
“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good,” Martinez stated.
“It is a very difficult moment if those intentions are wrong… probably we should give a message to the fans
that it is not the right way.” According to Uefa, any spectators who enter the playing field would be asked to
leave the stadium, prohibited from attending any more games, and may even have an official criminal
complaint filed against them for trespassing.
Portugal easily defeated Turkey to win Group F and go to the round of sixteen.
