Piers Morgan sends 'serious' warning after five pitch invaders reach Cristiano Ronaldo
A number of fans invaded the pitch and tried to take selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal beat Turkey 2-0 at Euro 2024, prompting Piers Morgan to raise concerns over the security
Piers Morgan has warned that "something serious will happen" after five pitch invaders managed to reach Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal beat Turkey at Euro 2024.
Goals from Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes and a spectacular own goal from Samet Akaydin saw Portugal win the match 3-0 and book their place in the last 16. However, the match was disrupted by multiple pitch invaders.
It started when a young boy ran onto the pitch and took a selfie with Ronaldo. A second supporter also ran onto the pitch and made a beeline for Ronaldo around 15 minutes after the first incident. He also attempted to take a selfie with the forward, but Ronaldo did not oblige and the fan was removed by security. Two more supporters then ran on the pitch before the game was over, while a fifth fan ran towards Ronaldo after the game finished.
And Morgan took to social media to voice his concerns about the repeated security breaches, writing: "Ridiculous. The players must be better protected, or something more serious will happen."
However, goalscorer Bernardo dismissed concerns over the pitch invasions, insisting he did not feel in any danger at all. "It's not really a concern. It's just a bit annoying in terms of always having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch," the Manchester City star said after the game.
"But I think that's the price you pay for being so recognised in the world of football and having a player like him [Ronaldo] with us. But in terms of feeling in danger, I don't think so, no. Not me personally at least."
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, though, admitted he was worried about the safety of his players. "It was a concern. Because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good," he told reporters.
"You can understand it was a difficult moment — if those intentions are wrong, the players are in danger. We should give a message to the fans: it's not the right way. You're not going to get anything out of it, and what will happen is the (security) measures will get tighter."
Portugal will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on Georgia in their final group game in Schalke, before travelling to Frankfurt for their last 16 match on July 1.
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