Portugal voice concerns after five pitch invaders get to Cristiano Ronaldo | Euro 2024

Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martínez, voiced security concerns after his team’s victory over Turkey was marred by five spectators invading the pitch and making their way to Cristiano Ronaldo in search of selfies. A sixth tried and failed to do so.

The first, a young child, was warmly received by the Portugal captain, who posed for a picture with him midway through the second half, but Ronaldo was unimpressed when a second person ran on and interrupted the game shortly after.

Two other supporters got on to the pitch during Portugal’s 3-0 win in Dortmund, one running across the six-yard box late in the game. A fifth spectator got to Ronaldo on the final whistle and a sixth was apprehended while trying to do so while the players applauded the fans. All six were taken away by stewards and the matter will be handled by German police. Uefa declined to comment.

“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good,” Martínez said. “We all love a fan who recognises the big stars and the big icons in their life. We all agree with that. But there is a very, very difficult moments if those intentions are wrong – the players are exposed and we need to be careful with that.

“I don’t think that should happen on a football pitch. There is a lot of security and a lot of protection and it should not happen. And probably we should give a message to the fans that it’s not right way; you’re not going to get anything out of it and probably the measures will get worse for the future. It’s not good to have the players so exposed when people are running on the pitch.”

Bernardo Silva, the scorer of the first goal, said he did not feel threatened by the invasions. “It’s just a bit annoying in terms of always having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch,” he said. “But I think that’s the price you pay for being so recognised in the world of football and having a player like him with us. But in terms of feeling in danger, I don’t think so, no. Not me personally.”