SECURITY CONCERNS AFTER RONALDO SELFIE PITCH INVASIONS
Portugal’s national soccer team coach Roberto Martinez has expressed his concern after fans tried their luck and invaded the pitch to take selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The incidents took place at Saturday’s match between Portugal and Turkey in Dortmund as part of Euro 2024.
The first fan to run onto the pitch was a young boy. Ronaldo shared a hug with him before the two of them posed for a photo.
Soon after, other fans also tried their luck which led to the game being forced to stop multiple times.
Martinez said that the players are grateful that the fans mean no harm, but that it could go the other way and that security has to be stepped up.
“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good. We all love fans who recognise big stars and the big icons in their lives.”
He not only asked for security to be stepped up but also asked fans to stop invading the pitch illegally.
“I don’t think it should happen on a football pitch. There is a lot of security and a lot of protection and I don’t think that should happen and we should probably give a message to the fans that it is not the right way.”
Image credit: Chinese Times