How is this still happening?
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, we heard plenty of reassuring words about the ‘heightened security’ at Euro 2016 stadiums.
A little over a week into the competition and we’ve seen flares – plenty of flares – ignited at numerous games across France.
On Friday afternoon, Croatian fans hurled several flares on to the field of play in the dying moments of their game against Czech Republic. One steward appeared to narrowly escape injury as one of the flares exploded in his hand as he tried to remove it from the pitch.
24 ours on and there were similar problems in Marseille in the moments after Hungary’s late, late goal against Iceland.
Flares were heard and seen being ignited by the Hungarian supporters, with some once again being thrown on to the pitch.
Hungary equalise. Their massive support celebrates. And a few whoppers throw flares at stewards. pic.twitter.com/mQdHN3eaJR
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) June 18, 2016
Flares and fireworks thrown on pitch by Hungary fans #HUNISL @UEFAEURO pic.twitter.com/yqxJ5nklkz
— Peter Keep (@PeterKeep1) June 18, 2016
Hungarian winger Balázs Dzsudzsák was seen pleading with supporters not to let off any more of the flares so that the game could continue.
Dzsudzsak pleads with the Hungary fans to stop throwing flares on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/E2fv03l50x
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) June 18, 2016
The game soon restarted and it must be said that the flares were nowhere near as disruptive as those were in Sant-Etienne on Friday afternoon.
But despite this, the big question remains unanswered: how, in a tournament that has supposedly prepared for terror attacks, have fans managed to repeatedly bring flares and flare guns into stadiums?
