Fan disturbances mar build-up to Euro 2020 final match

The build-up to the Italy versus England Euro 2020 final match was marred by seemingly ticketless football fans charging barriers in an attempt to access Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Several English media outlets reported on the incidents and videos on social media showed fans rushing at the gates.

“Hundreds are thought to have got past stewards just before 6 p.m. (1700 GMT), although there is no indication they have gained access to the ground itself,” The Athletic portal said while Sky Sports news said “up to 100 fans” had done so.

European football ruling body UEFA confirmed fans had advanced beyond the outer security perimeter.

But it claimed they had not managed to access the interior of the stadium before the 8 p.m. kick-off time.

This account was disputed by various reporters in the stadium, including that of the Guardian paper which said “multiple eyewitnesses” reported “England fans without tickets forced their way through the Wembley turnstiles.”

The British government is allowing 60,000 fans to attend the game but only 1,000 were allowed to travel from Italy under strict coronavirus rules.

They were to be in a strict bubble and only allowed to stay 12 hours.

Another 6,500 tickets have gone to Italy fans living in Britain.