Greenpeace has issued an apology to those who were injured by a parachuting protester ahead of France's 1-0 win over Germany in their opening Euro 2020 game.
UEFA confirmed that several people are being treated for their injuries in hospital after a Greenpeace activist was forced to land into the Allianz Arena in Munich because of “technical failures.”
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Munich Police have confirmed that the 38-year-old resident in Baden Wurttemberg was arrested.
Meanwhile, European football's governing body described the act as “reckless and dangerous” and said that “law authorities will take the necessary action”.
GO DEEPERExplained: The parachute protest at the Allianz Arena that left two injured and Deschamps ducking for coverWhat happened?
Just before the 8pm (BST) kick-off, a Greenpeace activist got tangled in wires carrying an overhead camera as he entered the stadium with his yellow parachute which had the words “Kick out oil Greenpeace” written in black on it.
Debris fell onto the pitch and into the stands as a result of the entanglement and several people were injured.
On Tuesday evening, Munich police confirmed that as it stands the pilot injured two men during the landing approach. They were treated in hospital but acute emergency medical care was not required.
France head coach Didier Deschamps was also forced to duck out of the way to prevent a large piece of equipment hitting him near the dugout.
Was the stunt intentional?
Greenpeace have revealed that the protester did not intend to land in the stadium.
Instead, he was supposed to release a large yellow soft ball with the words “Kick out oil Greenpeace” as he flew over the stadium.
Greenpeace said: “The pilot was forced to land inside the stadium as a result of technical failures, which (they) will fully investigate.”
The protester was given medical attention after landing awkwardly but did not claim any injuries and was escorted away by security.
What has Greenpeace said?
A spokesperson from Greenpeace Germany said: “Greenpeace Germany offers a full and unreserved apology to those who were injured and impacted as a result of our protest before yesterday’s UEFA football match in Munich.
“We are seeking to verify the extent of the injuries and hope for a quick recovery for all those affected.
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“A lone paragliding protestor sought to fly over the stadium to release a soft ball carrying a note of protest against VW, a sponsor of the event, calling upon the company to accelerate its phase-out of climate-wrecking petrol and diesel cars.
“The pilot was forced to land inside the stadium as a result of technical failures, which we will fully investigate.
“Greenpeace takes safety very seriously and will mount a full investigation into what went wrong. We will fully cooperate with all relevant authorities.
“We would like to repeat our full and unreserved apology to those who were injured and impacted as a result of this accident.”
What was the protest about?
Greenpeace's German Twitter account confirmed that the act was in protest against Euro 2020’s tournament sponsor Volkswagen and demanded they stop selling diesel and petrol cards.
They posted on their social media account: “Hey @Volkswagen, time to kick out oil! #Greenpeace activists protest against the games' sponsor at the #FRAGER-match and demand: stop selling climate-damaging diesel and petrol cars! #EURO2020.”
What has UEFA said?
A statement released to the PA news agency said: “Shortly before the start of tonight's UEFA EURO 2020 match between France and Germany in Munich, a protester briefly entered the stadium from the air and tried to land on the pitch.
“This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action.
“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable EURO 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions.
“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”
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What did Deschamps say?
Speaking after the game, Deschamps said: “Listen, I thought it was something planned in advance. Yes, we were close to a tragedy.
“On the bench with Guy (assistant coach Guy Stephan) we tried to take refuge. I have a little bump because I hit the cover of the bench. Yes, we were close, it could have been a tragedy once again.
“So, what can I say? It shouldn't have happened. But at the same time, when you witness events like this… it will become literature because there were no consequences.”
What happened in the game?
France got the better of Germany in the standout fixture from the opening round of Euro 2020 group games, with a 20th-minute Mats Hummels own-goal proving the difference.
Didier Deschamps’ side started on the front foot, with Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe missing early chances.
France’s pressure was then rewarded, after Pogba delightfully found Lucas Hernandez and the Bayern Munich man’s cross was spooned into his own net by Hummels.
Germany, to their credit, did not roll over, with chances falling to Ilkay Gundogan and Serge Gnabry in particular. They were not taken, however, as Joachim Low’s men struggled to break down their opponents.
France twice thought they had doubled their lead but the offside flag twice frustrated Mbappe and Karim Benzema, with Mbappe in particular denied what would have been a wonderful goal.
(Photo: FRANCK FIFE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
