Concerns Arise as Fans Invade Pitch for Ronaldo Selfies
23.06.2024: Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martinez, has expressed concern following multiple pitch invasions during Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey at Euro 2024. The match, held at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, saw five fans breach security to snap selfies with Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The repeated incursions left both players and fans frustrated as security guards scrambled to contain each invader. Martinez acknowledged the fans’ enthusiasm but stressed the potential risks. “It is a concern. Today the intentions of the fans were good. We all love a fan who recognizes the big stars and icons,” he said. “But you must understand there’s a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong. We need to be careful. It shouldn’t happen – there’s a lot of security.”
Martinez emphasized the need for better messaging to fans about appropriate behavior. “It’s not good to have the players so exposed on the pitch. It may get worse in the future,” he warned.
The first invader was a young boy, whom Ronaldo graciously hugged and posed with for a photo. However, as the invasions continued, Ronaldo’s patience waned. He was visibly annoyed when a fan disrupted Portugal’s defense preparations during a corner kick in the second half, necessitating security intervention.
At the final whistle, Ronaldo had to push away a fifth fan and was escorted off the field by security personnel. Despite these incidents, Portugal’s Bernardo Silva remained unconcerned about the invasions. “It’s just a bit annoying in terms of always having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch,” Silva said. “I think that’s the price you pay for being so recognized in the world of football and having a player like [Ronaldo] with us in the team. But in terms of being in danger, no, I don’t feel that personally.”
BBC Radio 5 Live’s senior football reporter, Ian Dennis, criticized the security measures at the stadium, which is scheduled to host a Euro 2024 semi-final. “The security here has been lacking, and they’re going to have to tighten it up,” Dennis noted.
Uefa’s disciplinary body is awaiting reports from officials to determine any necessary actions moving forward.