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Harry Maguire’s father suffered suspected broken ribs during fan ‘stampede’ at Euros Final

 (via REUTERS)
(via REUTERS)

England centre-back Harry Maguire has revealed that his father left Sunday’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley with suspected broken ribs.

The injury occurred during the maelstrom of bodies as ticketless fans stormed the gates and bulldozed their way past security guards. Maguire’s father was caught up in the chaos and was left struggling to breathe.

Maguire, who was recognised by Uefa as part of the team of the tournament, described the events as “scary” and cautioned that his family would “be aware” when attending fixtures in the future.

“I think he was involved in a stampede and suffered a couple of injuries to his ribs,” the 28-year-old Manchester United captain told The Sun. “I have not spoken with him too much but I am pleased my kids didn’t go to the game. I don’t want anyone to experience that at a football match.”

Ugly scenes marred the buildup to England men’s first major final in 55 years. Riot police were called into action at Trafalgar Square and Wembley Way was a swarm of bodies of beer bottles.

Watch: Euro 2020 - Kane, Maguire and Grealish all break their silence as the dust settles on the final

In total, 88 people were arrested - 53 of them at Wembley - and 19 officers were injured.

“I have seen a lot of videos and have spoken to dad and my family,” added Maguire, who hammered his penalty kick into the top corner during England’s shoot-out defeat.

“It was my dad and agent who suffered the most. He was struggling with his breathing afterwards because of his ribs, but he’s not one to make a big fuss - he got on with it.

“I hope we can learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Dad will always support me and go to the games but he will be a little bit more aware of everything going on around. We should all be more aware and learn from it.”

“Things could have been a lot worse but we have to make sure it does not happen again.”

Wembley after the final whistle on Sunday. (PA)
Wembley after the final whistle on Sunday. (PA)

On Tuesday, UEFA opened a disciplinary investigation into the incidents at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

The Football Association’s chief executive Mark Bullingham on Monday promised that a full review would take place into what happened and accused “drunken yobs” of trying to force their way into the stadium without tickets.

The FA was charged by UEFA on four counts arising from the mayhem. Disciplinary proceedings were opened over a pitch invasion, throwing of objects, booing the Italian national anthem and the lighting of a firework.

Maguire stressed the importance of not letting a few individuals spoil what was a remarkable tournament for this nation, or indeed hamper England’s chance of hosting a World Cup in the future.

“Wembley is an amazing place,” he said. “It has been an amazing home and the fans and the way they have acted have been unbelievable, apart from the odd few in a final.

“We need to learn and we will - and it would be an amazing place to hold the World Cup.”

Watch: Watch England fans clash with police outside Wembley

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