Cops say Euro final ‘could have been abandoned’

LONDON’S Metropolitan Police yesterday defended their handling of Monday’s hooliganism-tainted Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium and said the showpiece event might have been abandoned without their intervention.

Senior officer Jane Connors said the

Met had planned extensively for the match and deployed specially-trained publicorder officers who subdued the ticketless supporters trying to enter the stadium.

“I do not accept the policing operation failed and I stand by the difficult decisions made by police officers and the Met’s public order commanders,“said the deputy assistant commissioner.

“Without their immediate intervention, it is possible this game could have been abandoned.”

The Met and under-pressure commissioner Cressida Dick have been criticised for their handling of the match.

England fans allegedly bribed stewards and forged tickets to enter the stadium.

The Guardian newspaper quoted an anonymous supporter as saying ticketless fans used the messaging app Telegram to share advice on breaching security before and during the disturbances, adding to anecdotal evidence of a planned breach.

A 24-year-old man told The Guardian that Telegram groups contained hundreds of people seeking tickets and assistance in breaching security, estimating 5,000 people illicitly entered Wembley.

He said fans bribed stewards, some reportedly for just £20 (RM110), and others forged tickets in their name by altering photographs of genuine tickets to gain entry.

UEFA on Tuesday charged England’s FA over the unsavoury scenes and will appoint an “ethics and disciplinary inspector” to investigate the pre-match incidents. – Express Newspapers