Fans at Wembley ahead of the Euro 2020 final
(Picture: Getty Images)Senior Metropolitan Police officers were allegedly reluctant to use force during the the Euro 2020 final because they were concerned about the force’s “brand image”, it has been claimed.
An anonymous police officer, who works for the Met, told The Times that he and his colleagues were “held back” from intervening in the mayhem earlier this month.
Thousands of ticketless fans forced their way into the stadium ahead of England’s clash with Italy on July 11.
Although officers formed an “absolute cordon”, which meant fans did not have direct access to the stadium, intruders still tried to find other entry points, the officer said.
“We wanted to chase them off properly as we could see that the stewards didn’t care,” he added.
Asked why officers did not pursue the troublemakers, he said: “We weren’t allowed.
“The best we did was manhandle them down the ramps away from the stadium.”
He claimed that senior officers were reluctant to sanction more robust measures because “it’s all about the brand image”.
“It is just annoying we are held back from doing our job,” he added.
“We are in public order gear for a reason.”
The officer explained that although police officers should not be “let off the chain . . . many of those in charge are hesitant to let us put [helmets] on or get robust with those that need it”.
He confirmed that attempts by fans to enter the stadium had continued until the penalty shootout.
Asked whether they had a response to the allegations made, a spokesperson for the Met said: “We have issued a comprehensive statement in relation to our policing of the Euro 2020 final and haven’t got anything further to add at this stage.”
In a statement published after the match Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors said: “I do not accept that the policing operation failed and I standby the difficult decisions made by police officers and the Met’s public order commanders.
“Without their immediate intervention, it is possible that this game could have been abandoned.
“The ugly scenes at Wembley on Sunday night will rightly be reviewed by the Football Association and by police. Where lessons can be learnt we will work with partners to ensure that future matches are not disrupted by a group of hooligans who are fueled on alcohol.”
