Senior Met Officer Says Policing At Euro 2020 Final 'Did Not Fail'

The Met Police have denied that their operation at the Euro 2020 final 'failed,' and have claimed the match would have been abandoned without their intervention.

The Euro 2020 final at Wembley last weekend was marred by awful scenes at Wembley, as fans without tickets forced their way through security barriers, and past stewards, to get into the match.

In the aftermath, there has been calls for Gareth Southgate's side to be banned from the World Cup in Qatar in 18 months time.

Lots of people have been blamed for the issue, with many thinking there wasn't a big enough police presence at the game, or they weren't doing their job correctly.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Jane Connors has claimed that they didn't fail in their plans and without them the game wouldn't gave gone on.

"I do not accept that the policing operation failed and I standby the difficult decisions made by police officers and the Met's public order commanders," Connors said in a statement.

"Without their immediate intervention, it is possible that this game could have been abandoned.

Wembley Way was packed ahead of kick off. Image: PA Images

"The ugly scenes at Wembley on Sunday night will rightly be reviewed by the Football Association and by police.

"Where lessons can be learnt we will work with partners to ensure that future matches are not disrupted by a group of hooligans who are fuelled by alcohol.

"This was meant to be a day of national pride, full of jubilance and celebration.

"In the main, the day was exactly that. However, it was sadly tarnished by a minority of disorderly and violent fans who attempted to hijack the final for their own selfish personal gain.

Italy fans given a police escort into the stadium. Image: PA Images

"Throughout the course of the day, police officers witnessed disgraceful behaviour both in central London and at Wembley, where a number of people pushed through security cordons or fought with police officers.

"I share the nation's anger at this behaviour. I want to reiterate the Met's commitment to identifying those responsible for the scenes both in Wembley and in central London, their actions will have consequences."

One steward claimed he was threatened at knife point but the experience of others outside the ground was extremely different.

A fan claimed that stewards were allowing some fans to bribe them as they let them in, claiming one said, "Put the money in my pocket as I'm patting you down."

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, England, Italy

Ryan Sidle

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