Fans rushed Wembley Stadium and tried to get past security ahead of the Champions League final tonight between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Shocking footage shows a large group of people charging towards the iconic London stadium and appearing to attempt to enter via the ‘Club Wembley’ entrance, before being pushed back and turned away by police and security.
To add to the mayhem, a series of pitch invaders were also seen running across the turf unchallenged after kick-off. One of the people who ran on to the pitch stopped to take a selfie with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Two invaders were quickly removed by Wembley Stadium security staff, but then another person ran onto field to the visible annoyance of some players.
It took four security staff to apprehend the last invader, marking a shaky start to tonight’s huge match.
The incidents come despite a £5million ring of steel defence which was put in place by officials to avoid a repeat of England’s Euro 2020 day of shame.
Footage from outside Wembley emerged ahead of the match showing a group of hooded men attempting to rush the entrances of the stadium.
Some can be seen actually getting inside the Club Wembley entrance as they break past security before being turned around and running away.
As well as this, the video outside the stadium shows what appears to be fans fighting on the ground. It was not clear what they were clashing over.
To combat this, police mounted on horses rush in as reinforcements with riot police also seen marching down the street.
In today’s match Madrid are aiming to win a record-extending 15th European Cup, while Borussia Dortmund are going for its second Champions League title.
Before kick-off it was revealed that the Football Association had pumped £5million into the security operation at Wembley, with a ‘ring of steel’ involving thousands of stewards and enhanced ticket checks.
It was designed to be the largest security operation in the stadium’s history.
The idea was to avoid a repeat of the shameful scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, with fans who didn’t have tickets storming the stands.
Wembley that night was a scene of drink and drug-fuelled chaos, getting into fights.
The previous two Champions League finals, in Paris and Istanbul, were also overshadowed by major logistical problems outside the stadiums leading to chaotic and dangerous scenes – something the FA have been desperate to avoid.
In Paris, crowd control descended into chaos at the Stade de France as a large build-up of fans were unable to gain access in time for kick-off.
Tonight, more than 2,500 security stewards have been deployed, the most Wembley has ever seen.
The investment has been used to solidify the stadium’s security infrastructure, including the increasing the strength of all Wembley’s doors with additional magnetic lock systems to ensure there is no repeat of people successfully ripping them of their hinges.
Additional fences and gates have been delivered throughout Wembley’s parameters, while the area underneath the iconic Olympic steps has been significantly bolstered since the Euros final.
A significant part of the money has been spent on improving CCTV in and around Wembley, while a second security control room big enough to house around 18 officers has been opened with the specific remit of monitoring events outside the stadium’s perimeter, including tube stations and local pubs.
The FA have also invested in providing additional body cameras for event stewards.
One of the criticisms of the security operation for the Euro 2020 final was the apprehensive approach from sections of the stewarding staff that day, although many have since insisted they did not have the level of expertise to handle the sort of intoxicated fan that arrive at Wembley intent on causing trouble.
But the FA insist they have since improved their training and vetting strategies regarding steward selection for Wembley events.
There is also a sense that the selection pool of stewards for the Euros in 2020 was lower due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
Addressing the attempts to gain entry to the stadium on Saturday, a Met Police spokesperson said the force had made 53 arrest.
‘We are confident that the overwhelming majority of attempts to unlawfully gain access to Wembley this evening were unsuccessful thanks to the efforts of officers, stewards and other stadium staff,’ the statement said.
‘Officers have made 53 arrests at Wembley tonight – five for pitch invasion and the majority of others for attempts to breach security.
‘Major sporting events often attract attempts by those without tickets to bypass perimeter fencing or otherwise gain entry. There is a robust policing operation in place to support the Wembley security plan and officers have worked closely with stewards and stadium staff to maintain security throughout.
‘Videos shared online showing groups running into entrances do not necessarily represent successful attempts to enter the stadium. There are typically multiple further levels of security beyond an initial entrance. Officers remain in the area outside the stadium and will be deal decisively with any criminality.’