England Ordered To Play One Match Behind Closed Doors For The Disorder At The Euro 2020 Final
At the hearing today UEFA also imposed a ban for a second game, which is suspended for two years. The panel meeting to discuss the punishments to be handed out said it took action for "the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium" prior to and during the game between England and Italy.
The Football Association commented, "Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we acknowledge the outcome. We condemn the terrible behaviour of the individuals who caused the disgraceful scenes in and around Wembley Stadium at the Euro 2020 final, and we deeply regret that some of them were able to enter the stadium.”
As reported in Football & Stadium Management fans battled with stewards and police as they attempted to gain entry into Wembley for the showcase event.
European football's governing body, UEFA, opened disciplinary proceedings into security breaches two days after the game was played, with the English FA setting up an independent review of their own a week later, saying it was determined to ensure the "disgraceful scenes" that marred the Euro 2020 final were "never able to be repeated".
UEFA are likely to focus on whether the FA's security measures for the game were adequate.
News of the hearing follows more unruly scenes at Wembley during the recent World Cup qualifier against Hungary, which saw visiting supporters clash with stewards and police in the opening minutes, where again there were suggestions that policing was inadequate as Hungarian fans appeared to force the retreat of the Met Police officers in attendance to that area of the away section. There was also an arrest regarding racist abuse towards on of the stewards attempting to placate the Hungarian fans.
FIFA released a statement saying, "Once again, FIFA strongly condemns the incidents at both matches and would like to state that its position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of violence as well as any form of discrimination or abuse. FIFA has a very clear zero-tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football."
