Euro 2020: Met chief denies policing of final failed as disabled fans tell of terror

A London police chief has revealed that Sunday’s Euro 2020 final could have been abandoned after ticketless fans “overwhelmed” perimeter security at Wembley stadium.

Jane Connors, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said the force was committed to identifying those responsible and rejected claims that the policing operation had failed.

Connors said the Met commanders realised before the match on Sunday that a “high number of fans were arriving without tickets”, despite warnings to ticketless fans to stay away.

She said: “Soon after gates opened, the stewarding and outer security perimeter became overwhelmed and fans began pushing through security checks.”

She claimed that only the quick response of police commanders and “brave officers” at the scene prevented the stadium becoming overrun. “Without their immediate intervention, it is possible that this game could have been abandoned,” she said.

So far, 51 people have been arrested across London, including 26 who were detained at Wembley.

Connors added: “I do not accept that the policing operation failed and I stand by the difficult decisions made by police officers and the Met’s public order commanders.”

But she confirmed the policing operation would be reviewed by the Met and the Football Association. [...]

Read article at theguardian.com

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