UEFA will increase security for the remainder of Euro 2024 after several players on the pitch tried to take selfies with Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 39-year-old forward posed for a photo with a young boy during a 3-0 win over Turkey in Group F in Dortmund on Saturday, but became irritated when at least five more fans tried to do the same.
“Safety and security in the stadium, on the pitch and at team facilities are the ultimate priority for UEFA,” European football’s governing body told AFP on Sunday.
“To this end, additional safety measures will be deployed in the stadiums to further meet the requirements of the tournament and prevent such incidents.”
A security guard crashed into Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos while trying to prevent a pitch intruder from reaching Ronaldo.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said it was lucky that the fans who ran onto the pitch were only trying to take photos.
“It’s a concern because today we were lucky that the fans’ intentions were good,” Martinez said.
“It’s a very difficult moment when those intentions are wrong… probably we have to send a message to the fans that this is not the right way.”
UEFA said any spectators who enter the playing field will be thrown out of the stadium, banned from further matches and face “the filing of a formal criminal complaint for trespassing.”
Portugal qualified for the last 16 with their comfortable victory over Turkey as winners of Group F.
