Champions League Final: Arrests Made for Ticketless Entry and Pitch Invasion
The Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium was marred by incidents of ticketless entry and pitch invasion. The Metropolitan Police reported a total of 56 arrests, with the majority being related to attempts to enter the stadium without a valid ticket. Five individuals were arrested for invading the pitch during the game.
The policing of the final was part of a larger operation across London, with over 2,000 officers on duty. Earlier in the day, there were protests organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and a counter-demonstration. Two individuals were arrested near Parliament Square where the protest concluded. Additionally, nine pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested at a separate protest in London.
Despite the disturbances, the Met Police stated that they were confident that the majority of attempts to enter the stadium had been unsuccessful. They emphasized that videos shared online showing groups running into entrances did not necessarily represent successful attempts, as there are multiple levels of security beyond the initial entrance.
Major sporting events often attract individuals without tickets attempting to bypass perimeter fencing or gain unauthorized entry. The Met Police assured the public that there was a robust policing operation in place to support the Wembley security plan. Officers worked closely with stewards and stadium staff to maintain security throughout the event.
Prior to the Champions League final, a march and rally organized by Tommy Robinson took place, attracting thousands of participants from various groups linked to football disorder. The rally began at Victoria and ended in Parliament Square, where speeches were given by Robinson, Reclaim leader Laurence Fox, and others. The Met Police acknowledged the presence of known individuals associated with football violence among the groups gathered in pubs nearby and elsewhere in central London.
A counter-protest organized by Stand Up To Racism also took place in Whitehall, attended by around 300 people. The Met Police deployed a significant number of officers to ensure that there was no convergence between the Parliament Square and Whitehall demonstrations.
In addition to the two main protests, a smaller unrelated demo occurred in central London. Youth Demand staged a protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, intending to occupy roads and bridges. Despite conditions not to leave the pavement, protesters moved onto York Road, causing disruption by blocking traffic. Nine individuals were subsequently detained for breaching Public Order Act conditions.
Meanwhile, the Met Police imposed restrictions on a planned demonstration against the conflict in Gaza in the Finchley area. The police aimed to prevent the protest from causing fear and concern among Jewish residents. Cdr Louise Puddefoot highlighted the difference between a protest in central London away from residential areas and one that would pass through an area with a significant Jewish community.
Aside from the football match and protests, a family football festival took place throughout the weekend at various sites in central London. This four-day event included activities in Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Somerset House, the South Bank, and Potters Field Park. Road closures and changes to bus routes and Cycleways were implemented. The festival is set to conclude on Sunday evening.
The multiple events occurring in London over the weekend, including the Champions League final and Trooping the Colour rehearsals for the King’s official birthday, caused disruptions on public transport. Part-closures and severe delays added to congestion in the city. Furthermore, engineering work resulted in no direct train services between central London and Luton Airport, as well as no Elizabeth Line services between Paddington and Abbey Wood, and between Whitechapel and Stratford on Saturday.
Travelers were advised to check TfL’s website for updates before embarking on their journeys. The Metropolitan Police provided additional reporting for this article.