PIERS MORGAN has expressed his fears after FIVE pitch invaders reached Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s win over Turkey.
The broadcaster warned “something serious will happen” following the Euro 2024 match on Saturday afternoon.
PAPiers Morgan has warned ‘something serious will happen’ after fans invaded the pitch[/caption]
GettyPitch invaders ran onto the field five times during Portugal’s win over Turkey[/caption]
GettySupporters hugged the Portugal captain and posed for selfies after entering the field[/caption]
Ronaldo was swarmed by pitch invaders on five separate occasions during his side’s 3-0 victory.
Supporters hugged and took selfies with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after making it onto the pitch in Dortmund.
Security staff could be seen chasing the fans, with one steward even clattering into Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos at full-time.
However, Morgan has called for better protection for the players following the worrying scenes.
Taking to social media, he wrote: “Ridiculous. The players must be better protected, or something more serious will happen.”
The 2016 winners went on to win the match thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes either side of a bizarre own goal.
Silva dismissed the concerns over the pitch invasions after the match, explaining: “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.
“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.
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“But in terms of feeling in danger, I don’t think so, no. Not me personally at least.”
Meanwhile, manager Roberto Martinez admitted: “It was a concern. Because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good.
“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’s second win from as many matches confirmed their progression to the knockout stages as group winners.
Martinez’s side will conclude their group campaign against Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.
Their last 16 clash against one of the best third place teams will follow in Frankfurt on July 1.