Why are England playing behind closed doors? Uefa punishment for Molineux match against Italy explained

For the second time in three games, England will play behind closed doors when they face Italy, but this time it is at home – and that, Gareth Southgate has said, is an “embarrassment”.

Molineux is hosting a first senior men’s international since December 1956 and while the ground won’t be entirely empty – a loophole in legislation allows some under-14s in free, with one adult for every 10 children – the match is officially being held without fans as punishment for the disorder that marred the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

Uefa handed down the penalty all the way back in October. It is only coming into force now because this will be the first home match England have played under Uefa’s jurisdiction – they have otherwise played World Cup qualifiers, governed by Fifa, and friendlies – since then.

European football’s governing body described a “lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium” as ticketless fans breached security barriers, forced entry to the final and clashed with police and stewards.

More from Football

PFA awards are practically pointless, but Son Heung-min's hat-trick of snubs is still unfair10 June, 2022England's reunion with Italy is a painful reminder of how the mood's shifted since Euro 202010 June, 2022The Soccer Aid 2022 teams in full and when the England vs World XI charity match kicks off09 June, 2022

Widespread eyewitness accounts reported open drug use and excessive alcohol consumption in the surrounding areas. Uefa also cited “the invasion of the field of play, throwing of objects and for the disturbances during the national anthems”.

In addition to being ordered to play one match behind closed doors, the FA was fined 100,000 euros (£84,560).

They condemned the “terrible behaviour of the individuals who caused the disgraceful scenes”, but the feeling was that England had got off lightly; they will only have to play a second match behind closed doors if there is another sufficiently serious incident within 24 months – a move Southgate likened to being on a “yellow card”.

from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/T54vUCr