Portugal coach voices worry following multiple spectators storming field for close-up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024.
Stadium security breaches at BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany raised a "concern" for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who stated that "we got lucky that fans' intentions were good."
"Adoring a fan who identifies big stars and icons is wonderful... but it's a tough situation if those intentions are incorrect - the players are at risk, and we must be cautious," he continued.
"Invading a football field isn't appropriate. There's ample security and protection, and it shouldn't happen. Perhaps a message should be sent to the fans that it's not the right way; you won't gain anything and stricter measures may be implemented in the future,” he added.
UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, stated that safety and security are their "top priority," and that "extra safety measures will be implemented in the stadiums to comply with tournament requirements and prevent such incidents."
Initially, a young pitch invader approached Ronaldo, who happily took a selfie with the boy and grinned as he tried to escape the stewards.
However, when a second older fan attempted the same, wrapping his arm around Ronaldo for a selfie amid the stewards' attempts to remove him, the Portuguese star expressed frustration by raising his hands.
Later, more fans were tackled by several stewards before reaching Ronaldo, although one steward unfortunately tackled Portugal's Gonçalo Ramos while rushing to assist the fan, causing him to fall onto the grass.
UEFA warned that entering the pitch would result in expulsion from the stadium, a ban from all tournament matches, and the filing of a criminal complaint for trespassing.
Portugal captain Bernardo Silva, who scored the first goal following an assist from Ronaldo, told reporters that the constant invasions were "annoying" rather than dangerous.
"It's just a hassle, having to halt the game everytime a fan invades the pitch, but that's the cost of worldwide football fame and having a star like him on our team," he concluded.
Although Ronaldo provided an assist, equaling a record of eight assists at a European Championship, he is yet to score a goal at this tournament.
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"The concerned Portugal manager Roberto Martinez emphasized that while admiring football stars is enjoyable, fan intrusions on the field pose risks and requires caution."
"Despite the multiple instances of fans invading the football pitch to meet Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA has reiterated the importance of security and warned of severe consequences for such actions."
