Sports
Police Say Euro 2020 Final ‘Could Have Been Abandoned’
London’s Metropolitan Police on Wednesday defended their handling of Sunday’s hooliganism-tainted Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium and said the showpiece event might have been abandoned without their intervention.
Senior officer Jane Connors said the Met had planned extensively for the match and deployed specially-trained public-order officers who subdued the ticketless supporters trying to enter the stadium.
“I do not accept the policing operation failed and I stand by the difficult decisions made by police officers and the Met’s public order commanders,” said the deputy assistant commissioner.
“Without their immediate intervention, it is possible this game could have been abandoned.”
The Met and under-pressure commissioner Cressida Dick have been criticised for their handling of Sunday’s match.
England fans allegedly bribed stewards and forged tickets to enter the stadium, causing chaos that defender Harry Maguire said had left his father injured.
The Guardian newspaper quoted an anonymous supporter as saying ticketless fans used the messaging app Telegram to share advice on breaching security before and during the disturbances, adding to anecdotal evidence of a planned breach.
Maguire said his father suffered two suspected broken ribs and struggled to breathe after being caught up in the incident.
Alan Maguire, 56, and the Manchester United player’s agent Kenneth Shepherd were trampled by ticketless fans desperate to watch the game between England and Italy.
“It was not a nice experience — it shook him up. It was scary. I don’t want anyone to experience that at a football match,” Maguire told British tabloid The Sun.
– Bribery and forgery –
A 24-year-old man — identified by a pseudonym “Pablo” — told The Guardian that Telegram groups contained hundreds of people seeking tickets and assistance in breaching security, estimating 5,000 people illicitly entered Wembley.
He said fans bribed stewards, some reportedly for just £20 ($28, 23 euros), and others forged tickets in their name by altering photographs of genuine tickets to gain entry.
Around 300 supporters poured through disabled entrances when they were opened, the source said, adding to multiple reports that some fans tailgated those with genuine tickets to pass through the turnstiles.
Alan Maguire, who was injured in the ensuing violent disorder, did not ask for medical treatment as England supporters overwhelmed security staff to enter the stadium and occupy the seats of paying spectators.
“My dad’s a big fan — he got on with it. He was struggling with his breathing because of his ribs, but he’s not one to make a big fuss,” Harry Maguire was quoted as saying.
“He was fortunate as every game he has been to he has had my nephew or one of my kids on his shoulders,” the 28-year-old player added.
– ‘Totally wrong’ –
European football’s governing body UEFA on Tuesday charged England’s Football Association over the unsavoury scenes and will appoint an “ethics and disciplinary inspector” to investigate the pre-match incidents.
The infractions included fans booing Italy’s national anthem, the lighting of a firework, a mid-game pitch invasion and supporters throwing objects.
Police made 86 arrests and 19 officers were injured.
Police promised to investigate reports of racist abuse of the three black England players who missed penalties, which in turn sparked an outpouring of support for them from fans.
A petition to permanently ban racists from football matches, created in response to the abuse, has garnered more than one million signatures in just two days.
Maguire condemned the behaviour of unruly fans at the match, which has prompted speculation it could harm a joint UK-Ireland bid to host the 2030 World Cup finals.
He said the fans’ actions were “totally wrong” and said his father would still go to games but would now be more aware.
“Things could have been a lot worse but we have to make sure it does not happen again,” he added.
Italy won the match 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time to claim their first European Championship title since 1968.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Why we failed to defeat Super Eagles – Percy Tau
Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
Kanu advocates for establishment of standard soccer academies
Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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