Mayhem caused both inside and outside Wembley stadium has marred Real Madrid’s 2-0 triumph over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Los Blancos claimed a record-extending 15th Champions League tonight thanks to goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr as Jude Bellingham created history in front of a home crowd.
However, prior to kick-off fans could be seen charging towards the iconic London stadium and attempting to enter via the ‘Club Wembley’ entrance, before being pushed back and turned away by police and security.
A series of pitch invaders could also be seen running across the turf unchallenged in the early minutes of the match. One of the people who ran on to the pitch stopped to take a selfie with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Two invaders were quickly removed by Wembley Stadium security staff, but then another person ran onto field to the visible annoyance of some players. It took four security staff to apprehend the last invader, marking a shaky start to the night.
It comes despite a £5million ring of steel defence which was put in place to avoid a repeat of England’s Euro 2020 day of shame.
Here is a look at some of the fans who rushed past security to make their way inside Wembley
A £5million ring of steel defence was put in place to avoid a repeat of England’s Euro 2020 day of shame
Fans can be seen causing mayhem as they rush past security in a bid to enter the stadium
Another look at the mad rush caused by fans as they push through the ticket stalls at the Club Wembley main entrance
Two invaders were quickly removed by Wembley Stadium security staff, but then another person ran onto field to the visible annoyance of some players.
It took four security staff to apprehend the last invader, marking a shaky start to tonight’s huge match.
Footage shows a group of hooded men attempting to rush the entrances of the stadium.
Some can be seen actually getting inside the Club Wembley entrance as they break past security.
As well as this, the video outside the stadium shows what appears to be fans fighting on the ground.
To combat this, police mounted on horses rush in as reinforcements with riot police also seen marching down the street.
Madrid’s 15th European Cup came as Dortmund attempted to win its second Champions League title.
Before kick-off it was revealed that the Football Association had pumped £5million into the security operation at Wembley, with a ‘ring of steel’ involving thousands of stewards and enhanced ticket checks.
It was designed to be the largest security operation in the stadium’s history.
Sir Alex Ferguson in the stands during the UEFA Champions League final. In front of him is Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
Dortmund fans rush through ticket checks ahead of the Champions League Final
Extra policing and security, as well as no alcohol ban signs (in multiple languages) around the stadium are in place for crowd safety
A large group of people can be seen in the video gathering before they make their rush inside
Security was ramped up ahead of tonight’s Champions League final in London
The idea was to avoid a repeat of the shameful scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy, with fans who didn’t have tickets storming the stands.
Wembley that night was a scene of drink and drug-fuelled chaos, getting into fights.
The previous two Champions League finals, in Paris and Istanbul, were also overshadowed by major logistical problems outside the stadiums leading to chaotic and dangerous scenes – something the FA have been desperate to avoid.
In Paris, crowd control descended into chaos at the Stade de France as a large build-up of fans were unable to gain access in time for kick-off.
Tonight, more than 2,500 security stewards have been deployed, the most Wembley has ever seen.
The investment has been used to solidify the stadium’s security infrastructure, including the increasing the strength of all Wembley’s doors with additional magnetic lock systems to ensure there is no repeat of people successfully ripping them of their hinges.
Police dogs outside the streets of Wembley are held by two policemen
Police officers on horses pictured as people attempt to get into Wembley Stadium before the match
Security was ramped up ahead of tonight’s final after the mayhem at Euro 2020
Additional fences and gates have been delivered throughout Wembley’s parameters, while the area underneath the iconic Olympic steps has been significantly bolstered since the Euros final.
A significant part of the money has been spent on improving CCTV in and around Wembley, while a second security control room big enough to house around 18 officers has been opened with the specific remit of monitoring events outside the stadium’s perimeter, including tube stations and local pubs.
The FA have also invested in providing additional body cameras for event stewards.
One of the criticisms of the security operation for the Euro 2020 final was the apprehensive approach from sections of the stewarding staff that day, although many have since insisted they did not have the level of expertise to handle the sort of intoxicated fan that arrive at Wembley intent on causing trouble.
But the FA insist they have since improved their training and vetting strategies regarding steward selection for Wembley events.
There is also a sense that the selection pool of stewards for the Euros in 2020 was lower due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘We are confident that the overwhelming majority of attempts to unlawfully gain access to Wembley this evening were unsuccessful thanks to the efforts of officers, stewards and other stadium staff.
‘Officers have made 53 arrests at Wembley tonight – five for pitch invasion and the majority of others for attempts to breach security.
‘Major sporting events often attract attempts by those without tickets to bypass perimeter fencing or otherwise gain entry. There is a robust policing operation in place to support the Wembley security plan and officers have worked closely with stewards and stadium staff to maintain security throughout.
‘Videos shared online showing groups running into entrances do not necessarily represent successful attempts to enter the stadium. There are typically multiple further levels of security beyond an initial entrance.
‘Officers remain in the area outside the stadium and will be deal decisively with any criminality.’
