Frank Christian
England’s journey to the 2024 European Championships final was not a new experience for them in such high-stake competitions.
Just four years prior, they had the opportunity to win their first Euro title on their home turf. They faced Italy in the final after defeating all their opponents along the way.
The final was a memorable one, with both teams displaying their attacking prowess. Ultimately, Italy emerged victorious in a penalty shootout after goals from Luke Shaw and Leonardo Bonnuci led to extra time.
Despite the excitement and disappointment for England fans, the match was marred by chaos as numerous fans without tickets tried to enter Wembley Stadium to witness the clash between the two football powerhouses.
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The situation was further exacerbated by the racial abuse faced by Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford following their missed penalty kicks, tarnishing the aftermath of the epic European Championship final.
Even after three years, the memories of that day continue to haunt football fans.
Incidents at Wembley during Euro 2020 Final
During the England-Italy final, thousands of fans without tickets attempted to force their way into Wembley Stadium to watch the game. Many managed to enter the stadium, while approximately 400 individuals were ejected by stadium staff. Nineteen police officers sustained injuries during the chaos, and 86 people were arrested.
No serious injuries were reported on the day. However, an independent report highlighted that the situation could have been much worse if not for several fortunate “near misses.”
According to Sky Sports News, the report described the criminal and anti-social behavior as “shocking and unprecedented,” catching authorities off guard.
Mark Bullingham, the CEO of England’s FA, acknowledged the findings of the report and apologized for the disorderly events before the match.
Harry Maguire’s father was among those injured during the chaos at the final, having reportedly suffered rib injuries, as disclosed by the Stoke Sentinel.
