Penalty for England after riot at Wembley

Ween the riots surrounding the final of the European Football Championship at London’s Wembley Stadium, the English national team will have to play their next compulsory home game in a UEFA competition closed to the public. The European Football Union announced this decision on Monday. Should incidents occur again in the next two years, another home game will take place without spectators. In addition, the English FA was fined to pay 100,000 euros.

The sanction does not apply to the World Cup qualification because it is organized by the world association FIFA. The next home game in a UEFA competition is part of the Nations League in June 2022.

“Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we recognize the outcome of this UEFA decision,” said a FA statement. The association condemns the behavior of the people “who caused the shameful scenes in and around Wembley Stadium at the UEFA EURO 2020 final, and we deeply regret that some of them were able to enter the stadium”.

In the final of the English national team against Italy (2: 3 on penalties) on July 11, a number of fans are said to have illegally gained access to the stadium, including allegedly well-known hooligans. More than 60,000 spectators were admitted to the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium for the final. 67,173 people were officially counted. However, only a few free places could be seen on TV pictures.

The FA referred to the commissioned investigation. “We continue to work together with the relevant authorities and support them in their efforts to take action against those responsible and to hold them accountable,” wrote the association on its website.

UEFA had launched an investigation into the FA after the incidents. The riots could put a strain on the FA’s joint application with the other British associations as well as with the Irish association to host the 2030 World Cup. The London police were also criticized for the incidents.