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England ordered to play game behind closed doors after disorder at Euro 2020 final

The punishment is in response to chaotic and ugly scenes before, during and after the game between England and Italy, with some ticketless supporters forcing their way through security cordons and gaining entry to the stadium.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 England's Harry Kane walks up during a penalty shootout Pool via REUTERS/Carl Recine
Image: England have been ordered to play their next UEFA competition match behind closed doors
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England has been ordered to play their next UEFA competition match behind closed doors following disorder surrounding the Euro 2020 final at Wembley in the summer.

The punishment is in response to chaotic and ugly scenes before, during and after the game, with some ticketless supporters forcing their way through security cordons and gaining entry to the stadium.

Tournament organisers UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association on 3 August and issued sanctions on Monday, as well as a hefty fine of £84,650 for fan violence and other incidents around the stadium.

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How the Wembley breach happened

In addition to the one-match ban on supporters, a further one-game ban is suspended for a period of two years, UEFA said.

A statement from the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body said it has decided:

• To order the English Football Association to play its next two UEFA competition matches as host association behind closed doors, the second of which is suspended for a probationary period of two years from the date of the present decision, for the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium.

• To fine the English Football Association €100,000 (£84,560) for the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium, for the invasion of the field of play, for the throwing of objects and for the disturbances during the national anthems.

The stadium closure will apply for a Nations League fixture in June, while a second empty-stadium game was deferred for a two-year probationary period.

Fans set off flares outside Wembley Stadium
Image: Fans set off flares outside Wembley Stadium

Before the Euro 2020 final against Italy in July, thousands of English fans tried to break through barriers to get into Wembley, which was at about two-thirds capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A number of ticketless supporters successfully breached external barriers and the turnstiles to enter the venue, prompting violent clashes.

Fans were seen fighting with stewards and police, who later released CCTV images of some of those they want to question.

Police hold back fans outside the final at Wembley. Pic: Action Images / Reuters / Peter Cziborra
Image: Police hold back fans outside the final at Wembley. Pic: Action Images / Reuters / Peter Cziborra

On at least two occasions fans overran stadium entrances and further breaches occurred at perimeter checks. Clashes between fans and stewards ensued and dangerous crushes occurred.

Four charges were handed to the FA by UEFA following the scenes.

England, in its first major tournament final for 55 years, ended up losing to Italy in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Police also arrested 11 people in connection with the online racial abuse of England players after the final.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were targeted by racist social media posts after missing penalties against Italy. The age of those arrested range from 18 to 63, and they were all either released under investigation pending further enquiries or bailed to return at a later date.

Analysis by Tom Parmenter, sports correspondent

What should have been the pinnacle of England's glorious Euro 2020 campaign turned into an ugly, depressing and dangerous spectacle.

Anyone who had been at Wembley for the previous games in the tournament could see that it might well happen around the final. COVID restrictions had just been lifted, England was exceeding all expectations on the pitch and the drinking started in the morning around Wembley when the game didn't kick off until late.

Still, though the authorities seemed woefully under prepared for what happened - that much is as clear now as it was on the night. The FA are still conducting their own inquiry into what went so badly wrong.

The UEFA sanction of a 100,000 euro fine and England fans being prevented from attending at least one UEFA organised game 鈥� which means the Nation's League competition next summer 鈥� will do nothing to punish the troublemakers that day.

The genuine fans felt betrayed by the drunken yobs who stormed the stadium 鈥� they dragged English football backwards just when Gareth Southgate鈥檚 team seemed to have reunited the country with a dose of much-needed optimism and togetherness.