A damning independent review of the British Football Association’s handling of the Euro 2020 final in July found the organization was lucky to avoid the deaths of supporters and called for a national effort to remove hooliganism from the sport.
Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock was commissioned by the FA to investigate such embarrassing scenes as EnglandThe final appearance of the first tournament in 55 years was overshadowed by supporters storming the barriers for entry without a ticket, excessive drinking and drug use in the last few hours. when the game starts.
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The 129-page review, released on Friday morning, contains a series of shocking findings including: 2,000 fans without tickets to Wembley, around 400 being kicked off the pitch; there were 17 mass violations of the stadium entrances for the disabled; there are up to 6,000 fans waiting to storm the stadium if England win; There was a collective failure to plan for the worst and the police arrived too late in the areas around Wembley.
Although Casey was criticized for a lack of coordinated preparation, she suggested a “perfect storm” of easing COVID-19 restrictions and the excitement over Britain’s dramatic run has created. created an environment in which “a bunch of useless, drunk and drugged thugs. … created a scene of startling chaos and near-life-threatening danger.”
She said: “We are really lucky that there are no more serious or worse injuries, and it is necessary to take as tough action as possible against those who think a football match is somehow… excuses to behave like that.
“It is clear to me that the primary responsibility for what happened at Wembley that day lies with those who have lost control of their own behavior that day, not with anyone who tried their best but lost control. crowd control.
“However, there are always lessons to be learned and it is right and commendable that the European Union has authorized this thorough review and has fully participated in it, along with its key partners. important including the police and the local council. No one was fully prepared for what happened. day and it cannot be allowed to happen again.”
UEFA fines FA £85,000 and ordered the England team to play a closed game following their own investigation and the foundation’s chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We fully accept our findings and have important lessons for us, as well as other agencies that may have relate to.
“The FA apologizes for the terrible experience many suffered at Wembley on a historic night for the game.”
Casey also revealed that in interviews for the report, many FA staffers expressed relief when England lost the final on penalties. Italy With thousands of people waiting outside to enter, Gareth Southgate’s side won their first international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
“One of the saddest things about this process was hearing the testimony of FA staff. Although they didn’t want England to lose that night, they were worried about what could happen in the event of a national team defeat. England won, they were over. With a great sense of relief when the result was achieved.In the end the penalty shoot-out went the Italian way, it rained and the crowd dispersed largely in silence. . But we shouldn’t notice how close the alternative is.”
Three England players missed in the penalty shootout – Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – all subjected to racial abuse on social media in the hours following the final.
Casey believes it is another sign of the need for a national dialogue to eradicate violence in football. Of the eight recommendations the report makes, the government is called on to introduce stronger penalties for football-related incidents.
“The biggest challenge I’ve faced is the culture that makes certain individuals during the day at Wembley and the days after on social media, choosing to behave this way,” Casey said.
“What makes people believe that it’s somehow acceptable to break into a stadium or abuse the disabled entrance just because it’s a big game or there are empty seats inside? from their own countrymen?
“It’s part of what the FA and football can do to keep these people off the pitch. But we also need a national conversation about courtesy and greater responsibility that goes beyond what’s possible. A sport that can be done. A real national effort to promote racism and hooliganism from football and society at large would be a fitting tribute to that England team, and all of us who love our nation and country game for the right reasons.”
Speaking to ESPN, Casey also cited mitigating factors including a reduction in bar capacity in the Wembley neighborhood from 9,000 to 1,500 and the absence of a Fan Zone anywhere in London due to social distancing measures. COVID-19 Society.
