Three Lions fined for fans’ behaviour at Wembley

Uefa have fined the English Football Association €30,000 ($36,000) “for the use of laser pointer” and booing of the Denmark national anthem during England’s Euro 2020 semi-final at the Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

With the match level at 1-1, England were awarded a penalty in extra time and a laser pointer could be seen being aimed at Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as Harry Kane prepared to take the spot-kick.

Schmeichel saved the penalty but could only parry into the path of Kane, who scored the rebound for what proved the winning goal. Mikkel Danmsgaard had opened the scoring for Denmark in the first half with a stunning free-kick before England levelled nine minutes later when Simon Kjaer turned in Bukayo Saka’s low cross.

Uefa had opened disciplinary proceedings against England on Thursday and announced the punishment yesterday. The English FA were also charged following disturbance during the national anthems and for the setting off of fireworks.

Fans booed when Denmark’s national anthem was played before kickoff. Similar jeers were also heard when the Germany anthem was played at Wembley last week, when England beat Joachim Low’s side in the round of 16.

The Uefa’s disciplinary body said it “has decided to fine the English Football Association 30,000 Euros for the use of laser pointer, disturbances during the national anthems and setting off fireworks.”

England are looking to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup, also at Wembley, and are competing in their first final since that triumph 55 years ago.

Opponents Italy, fourtimes World Cup winners, have won the European Championships once before, in 1968, and reached another two finals in 2000 and 2012.