UEFA on Friday opened disciplinary proceedings after several photographers were injured when Bayern Munich fans stormed over barriers at the end of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in Germany.
The incident occurred as celebrating supporters surged into a restricted area reserved for pitch-side media personnel, trampling photographers who were positioned between the grandstand and advertising hoardings near the Allianz Arena pitch.
One photographer suffered a head laceration while another required medical attention for back and shoulder injuries, according to reports from the scene. A third photographer, Reuters’ Kai Pfaffenbach, described being left “unconscious” after being overrun by fans, though he later confirmed he sustained only bruises with no fractures or brain damage.
“For those asking, I’m fine. A few bruises but no fractures or brain damage,” Pfaffenbach said alongside a series of photos shared on social media. “But one question: how could this have happened at a football match?”
Bayern Munich progressed to the semi-finals with a late victory, scoring through Luis Diaz and Michael Olise to overcome Real Madrid and set up a clash with holders Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.
In the aftermath, Bayern supporter organisation Club Nr. 12 issued an apology through AFP, stating they “regret the injuries sustained by the media representatives” during the match. The club confirmed it had been in contact with both the injured photographers and the fans involved.
One injured photographer told AFP that fans had already climbed a barrier and were waiting “for several minutes” before advancing into the pitch-side area, suggesting a delayed security response could have prevented the incident.
“If security staff had reacted and implemented the security measures, if they had intervened beforehand and protected us, or sent them back, then this could certainly have been avoided,” the photographer said.
UEFA’s investigation will focus on multiple potential violations including the “blocking of public passageways,” the “throwing of objects,” “crowd disturbances,” and the “display of a message inappropriate for a sporting event (anti-UEFA banner)” observed during the match.
“UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will address this matter in due course,” UEFA said in a statement released Friday. The governing body noted it remains unclear what sanctions could be levied against the Bundesliga champions.
This incident follows earlier disciplinary action against Bayern in this season’s Champions League, where their southern stand was partially closed by UEFA for repeated use of pyrotechnics by supporters.
The injured photographers received on-site medical treatment before being transported for further evaluation, though none were reported to have sustained life-threatening injuries according to initial assessments from match officials and media personnel present.
As the football world turns its attention to the upcoming Champions League semi-finals, the focus remains on ensuring adequate safety protocols are in place to protect all stadium personnel, including media representatives working in designated areas around the pitch.
Archysport will continue to monitor developments in this story and provide updates as UEFA’s disciplinary process unfolds.
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