Chaos ensued during the recent Champions League final at Wembley when three individuals, including a 16-year-old schoolboy, invaded the pitch. Yevhenii Lubnenko, 29, David Carneckij, 28, and the unnamed teenager have been charged with going onto the playing area in violation of the Football (Offences) Act 1991. While Lubnenko will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the schoolboy will appear at Highbury Corner Youth Court on June 24, and Carneckij is due to appear at the same court on July 10. Two other individuals arrested in connection with the incident are still under investigation.
This pitch invasion incident was just one of many disruptions during the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. In total, there were 56 arrests made by the police. Real Madrid emerged as the winners, securing their 15th European Cup with a 2-0 victory. Despite Dortmund’s strong performance and the electrifying atmosphere at Wembley, the match was marred by off-field chaos.
In an effort to prevent such incidents, stadium authorities had announced their commitment to cracking down on “poor fan behavior” prior to the final. However, even with a £5 million security defense system in place, the chaos still prevailed. Five of the arrests were related to pitch invasions, while others attempted to breach security measures.
More than 2,000 police officers were deployed to ensure safety during the final, but their efforts were unable to fully contain the mayhem. Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that the majority of attempts to unlawfully access the stadium were unsuccessful. The police force reassured that there was a robust policing operation in place to support Wembley stewards and stadium staff.
Following the pitch invasion incident, a spokesperson for Wembley Stadium condemned the actions of those involved and confirmed that all three individuals had been arrested. The stadium authorities expressed their commitment to cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken against the offenders.
This incident is reminiscent of the security debacle during the Euro 2020 final, when thousands of ticketless fans caused chaos outside Wembley Stadium. In response, the Football Association (FA) has invested £5 million in implementing new safety and security measures. This includes reinforcing the stadium’s security infrastructure by strengthening doors with magnetic lock systems, installing additional fences and gates, and enhancing CCTV coverage. The FA has also opened a second security control room and provided additional body cameras for event stewards.
The pitch invasion incident during the Champions League final at Wembley is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order and security at major sporting events. While significant efforts have been made to improve safety measures, incidents like these highlight the need for continued vigilance and adaptability in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all spectators.