Saturday’s game between Hungary and Iceland was the latest Euro 2016 match to be marred by flares in the supporters’ stands.
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
The situation got so bad that Hungarian winger Balázs Dzsudzsák even pleaded with supporters not to let off any more of the flares so that the game could play on.
Dzsudzsak pleads with the Hungary fans to stop throwing flares on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/E2fv03l50x
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) June 18, 2016
The match was soon able to resume, but it has intensified criticism of Uefa and its security protocols. “Despite thorough body and bag searches at the stadium entrances, it is extremely difficult to completely eliminate the risk that fireworks are brought into the stadiums,” UEFA told the AP.
Now, new footage shows just how dangerous the situation was in the Hungarian fans’ section at the Stade Vélodrome. The video below shows the flaming devices being lit in the stands, then thrown onto the pitch. A linesman grabs the flare and runs off with it. Seconds later another lit flare is lobbed into the air, but instead of landing on the pitch, lands in a fan area just in front of the pitch.
Stade Vélodrome. Hungary. Flares pic.twitter.com/tUZWpdChhC
— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) June 19, 2016
Terrifying stuff. Somebody is going to get seriously hurt if this keeps up.
