UEFA opens inquiry into chaotic Euro final scenes
UEFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Individuals without tickets breached security at Wembley and the Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has said a full review would take place into what had happened.
He accused “drunken yobs” of trying to force their way into the stadium without tickets.
A UEFA statement yesterday read: “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation into events involving supporters which occurred inside and around the stadium.”
UEFA has also charged the FA over a pitch invasion during the match and over the throwing of a firework, the throwing of other objects and disturbing the Italian national anthem.
UEFA’S disciplinary regulations state ethics and disciplinary inspectors are conducted by written enquiries and questioning individuals where necessary.
They may also conduct onsite inspections, request documents and procure expert opinions.
The recommended disciplinary measure for first offences related to the admission of spectators, the screening and searching of spectators is a warning.
First offences for other stadium security issues come with a recommendation to issue fines ranging from €5,000 to €15,000. These include offences which relate to spectator control, public passageways, doors and gates and protection of the playing area.
The FA said its review would be conducted alongside the Metropolitan Police, the Greater London Authority, the Safety Advisory Group and tournament stakeholders.
The governing body defended the level of stewarding and security in place for the match, saying it “exceeded the requirements for the match” and was “greater than any other previous event at Wembley Stadium”.
A spokesman said: “The behaviour of the people who illegally forced their way into the stadium was unacceptable, dangerous and showed total disregard for the safety and security protocols in place.
“No steward or security staff should be subjected to this type of behaviour and we thank them for their support on the night.”
There have been eyewitness reports of ticketless people being inside the stadium for the whole match and of genuine ticket-holders being afraid to confront people occupying their seats.
The FA was fined €30,000 by UEFA last Saturday after a laser pointer was shone in the face of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as he prepared to face a penalty from Harry Kane during last Wednesday’s semi-final at Wembley.
Anton Ferdinand believes England should be barred from hosting another major football tournament until racist abuse and social disorder problems can be eradicated from the game.
England's Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday was marred by scores of ticketless fans trying to break into Wembley, while Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to racist abuse on social media.
Ugly scenes in London's Leicester Square and at Wembley before and after the penalty shoot-out defeat will also have damaged the nation's chances of hosting the 2030 World Cup, with UEFA yesterday opening a disciplinary investigation into the chaotic scenes at the stadium.
Former West Ham, QPR and St Mirren defender Ferdinand has admitted England should be thwarted in their bid unless the off-field problems can be tackled.
Asked if England should be denied host status until the wider issues are solved, Ferdinand said: "Yes, there shouldbeconsequences,there definitely should be consequences.
"That's how people learn, but you've got to be willing to learn, that's the problem.
"You've got to be willing to understand and be openminded on what it is, especially when talking about the discrimination side of things.
"A lot of people who shout obscenities and things like that, they will never know what it's like to be racially abused, racially profiled, but what they can do is try to understand it.
"We're in a different generation now, what we're seeing is a multi-cultural stance. It's no longer just ethnic minorities speaking about this.
"So it's time for these bigots and these uneducated fools to get in tune with today's society.
"And for people who know it's wrong and don't want to speak out about it and check these people, you're also part of the problem.
"To combat this and try to eradicate it, everyone needs to speak about it, not just the people on the receiving end."
Ferdinand has been campaigning against online abuse as part of BT Sport's Hope United campaign.
The Peckham-born defender was embroiled in a longrunning racism saga after accusing Chelsea's John Terry of abusing him in a match against QPR in 2011.
Terry was cleared by Westminster Magistrates' Court of racially abusing Ferdinand in 2012 but the Football Association found him guilty following a four-day hearing. Terry was banned for four matches and fined £220,000. Ferdinand has spoken out against discrimination ever since, and hailed England boss Gareth Southgate as the template for anyone looking to learn how to change their outlook on social and racial issues.
"Gareth's a perfect example, of trying to understand and getting to understand a different culture," said Ferdinand, 36, speaking as a BT Sport Hope United ambassador.
"And trying to understand what it feels like. He's never going to know the feeling, but he's willing to understand. So if there's anyone to model yourself on as a middle-aged white male, look at our leader of the FA in terms of our national team.”