In a recent press conference, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez urged supporters of Cristiano Ronaldo to refrain from invading the field during team practices and Euro 2024 matches. This plea comes after several incidents at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund, where six fans entered the pitch during and after Portugal's 3-0 victory over Türkiye on June 22, and another supporter disrupted a team practice on June 14.
Martinez emphasized the importance of safety and the integrity of the game, stating, \"[Ronaldo] is a very experienced player who has been with the national team for over 20 years. He knows the kind of support fans provide – not just Portugal fans, but football fans in general – but I hope there won't be any more pitch invasions. It is dangerous, and it is not good for football. It's not the part of the game that we want to see.\"
As a result of these incidents, UEFA has implemented additional security measures for Euro 2024 and is filing criminal complaints against any supporters who attempt to invade the pitch. During the disruption in Dortmund, German referee Felix Zwayer had to delay the game until security removed the invader.
Despite the invasions, Cristiano Ronaldo maintained a positive interaction with fans by taking selfies on both occasions where incidents occurred. Martinez hopes that with increased security and fan cooperation, future matches can proceed smoothly without interruptions.
Reference(s):
Portugal coach Martinez: Ronaldo fans need stop invading pitch
cgtn.com
