Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Euro 2016: First day of England camp disrupted by security breach as fan runs onto pitch during training match

A fan, appearing to be in his 20s, ran onto the pitch during a training game to take shots at goal before leaving

Simon Peach
Thursday 19 May 2016 07:19 BST
Comments
England's first day of their Euro 2016 training camp was disrupted by a security breach
England's first day of their Euro 2016 training camp was disrupted by a security breach

Roy Hodgson will be hoping for a smoother day on Thursday after England's first training session ahead of Euro 2016 was gate-crashed by a member of the public.

The squad, minus those involved in the Europa League and FA Cup finals, convened at St George's Park on Wednesday as they began preparations for this summer's tournament.

However, it was not a straightforward first day as a man, seemingly in his early to mid-20s and wearing England training gear, ran on to the pitch as the players took a break from a practice match.

His presence caused minimal drama among the players, who did not appear concerned by, or perhaps aware, of his presence, as he was allowed to enter and leave the pitch without alerting security staff.

The interloper did nothing more threatening than aim a couple of wayward strikes at an unguarded net but coming just days after the abandonment of Manchester United's Premier League match with Bournemouth, and on the eve of the European Championship, this was an unwanted episode.

The Football Association has promised action against the individual in a statement released to Press Association.

"The person in question was the son of an invited Club Wembley member who had to follow a formal registration process on entry to St George's Park," a spokesperson said.

"The FA were aware of his identity and we will take appropriate action in due course as a result of this unacceptable behaviour."

The unwelcome episode occurred midway through an hour-long training session at St George's Park, where the media were in attendance alongside Club Wembley members.

Hodgson was down to 17 of his 26-strong provisional squad for training, with Liverpool and Manchester United players unavailable along with Gary Cahill.

The Chelsea defender, one of just three specialist centre-halves in the squad, was recovering from a knock but no further information on his condition was forthcoming.

Having gambled by leaving Phil Jagielka out of his long-list, Hodgson will be hoping Cahill, Chris Smalling and John Stones all stay at peak fitness once the action gets under way.

England Squad announced

Defensive midfielder Eric Dier is capable of slotting in at the heart of defence, while left-back Ryan Bertrand is willing to play there if required.

The Southampton full-back has again impressed this season but was not resting on his laurels, stepping up his fitness in a bid to be at his peak for the Euros.

"I feel good," Bertrand said. "If anything I've been raising the training levels, as the season's petered out the more I've had to train.

"Naturally the clubs chill out a bit when the season's done but I've been trying to ensure that my fitness levels are right up there still so I can maintain the sharpness.

"After lunch some will go home and some will go back outside. I will go outside, do my fitness.

"I'm not sure if (Southampton manager Ronald Koeman) would have been aware.

"It's not something you want to do in front of everyone, like 'look at me I'm doing my work'. But personally you like to maintain fitness."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in