Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Security ramped up at Wembley for UCL final

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 01 June 2024 12:11

Wembley Stadium has significantly beefed up its security operation for the Champions League final on Saturday, with organisers intent on avoiding a repeat of the lawlessness that tarnished the Euro 2020 showpiece.

Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund at England's national stadium, where three years ago 2,000 ticketless England fans violently stormed past stewards to get inside to watch their men's national team play Italy in the European Championship final.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

The past two Champions League finals have also been marred by problems. UEFA was primarily blamed for security failures in 2022 in Paris when Liverpool and Madrid fans were held in crushed queues. Last year, fans complained of transportation problems accessing the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey where Manchester City beat Inter Milan.

Saturday's final will feature the largest deployment of stewards -- 2,500 -- in Wembley Stadium history and follows 5 million ($6.3m) of security upgrades including new gates and perimeter fencing, improved locks on doors, and an internal control room to better monitor fan behavior. Stewards will also be wearing body cams.

The Metropolitan Police will have 2,000 officers -- including 400 from police forces outside the city -- on duty across London. Besides the final, police will be on hand at fan events downtown as well as for unrelated protests.

"We want fans visiting London for this fantastic event to have a safe and enjoyable experience," police commander Louise Puddefoot said. "There will be a visible police and stewarding presence not just around Wembley but at fan zones and other events."

Dortmund fans have a dedicated zone at Hyde Park; Madrid fans at Victoria Embankment. Each team was allotted 25,000 tickets.

Fans will be allowed to enter the stadium four hours before kickoff -- rather than the usual two hours.

"We've learned lessons and additional measures have been implemented," Chris Bryant, the director of tournaments and events for the English Football Association, said of the Euro 2020 chaos.

An investigation into the disorder found that an estimated 6,000 ticketless and alcohol-fueled fans "recklessly endangered lives" outside the stadium. A portion of them forced their way through disabled access entrances by punching and kicking stewards before England lost to Italy.

Read 162 times

Soccer

USWNT's Tullis-Joyce signs new Man Utd contract

USWNT's Tullis-Joyce signs new Man Utd contract

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has extended her cont...

NWSL seeks to launch second division in 2026

NWSL seeks to launch second division in 2026

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe National Women's Soccer League has formally applied to the U.S....

Guardiola: Winning FA Cup would reduce 'damage'

Guardiola: Winning FA Cup would reduce 'damage'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said winning the FA Cup woul...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Westbrook's early exit adds to Denver injury woes

Westbrook's early exit adds to Denver injury woes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook left Th...

OKC's historic 26-point rally puts Grizz on brink

OKC's historic 26-point rally puts Grizz on brink

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMEMPHIS, Tenn. -- After Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault...

Baseball

Slow start? Not this year! Francisco Lindor has Mets rolling

Slow start? Not this year! Francisco Lindor has Mets rolling

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- After Francisco Lindor began the season 0-for-11 and hi...

Power Rankings: There's a new No. 1 ... again

Power Rankings: There's a new No. 1 ... again

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWe're just about at the one-month mark of the 2025 MLB season -- me...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated