Euro 2024 touchlines: Fan allegedly hit by stadium security; Foden’s rallying cry to England players

Fan allegedly hit by stadium security

German police have said they are investigating reports that a football supporter was allegedly kicked and punched by stadium stewards during Portugal’s Last 16 clash against Slovenia on Monday night.

Videos have surfaced which appear to show security staff punch and kick a man while they are detaining him just metres from the pitch. In the clip, one individual is being held face-down while another appears to be punched three times, thrown to the ground and then attacked again.

"We are aware of this and are already investigating," said Frankfurt police on X, while UEFA said they were “aware of an incident which took place between stewards and a fan from the Portugal v Slovenia match and condemns any violent behaviour. The incident in the video is now the subject of a police investigation.”

Portugal defeated Slovenia on penalties in the tie after a scoreless draw to advance to the last eight, where they take on France tomorrow night (8.0).

Foden insists England players must take blame for poor displays

England star Phil Foden has said that he and his teammates must take their share of the blame for their below-par performances across their opening four games at Euro 2024 so far.

Despite topping their group, Gareth Southgate’s men have been heavily criticised this summer for a series of poor showings, winning just one of their three group outings with just two goals scored.

The Three Lions were seconds from a shock Last 16 exit against Slovakia last Sunday, until a stunning 95th-minute leveller from Jude Bellingham took the tie to extra-time, before Harry Kane’s header sealed their progression.

Huge questions remain as to what direction the 2020 runners-up are heading in though, but Manchester City’s Foden says the players must take responsibility as they gear up to face the Swiss.

“The players have got to take some of the blame. There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working,” said Foden, ahead of England’s last eight clash against Switzerland on Saturday (5.0).

"There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. If it is not going like that, you have to [work it out].

“I feel sorry for Gareth. In training, he has been telling us to press and be high up on the pitch and I feel like sometimes, it has to come from the players.

“We have to be leaders. In games we could have got together a little bit more and worked out a solution. So yes, we have spoken about it more. If it happens again in a game, we can get together and find a solution, see where it is going wrong and adapt our press.”

Video of the day

Earlier this week Aidan O'Hara joined the Irish Independent's man in Germany Daniel McDonnell to break down the round of 16 and you can find the review here.

'Portugal can't get away from the Cristiano Ronaldo show' | Today at the Euros

Where can I read the latest?

Ahead of Portugal’s huge last eight tie against France tomorrow night, in today’s Irish Independent Aidan Fitzmaurice takes a look at how manager Roberto Martinez has a big call to make on their star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Daniel McDonnell took in Turkey’s Last 16 win over Austria on Tuesday and his piece is here.

Jude Bellingham provides English X-factor – they need him to progress, writes Miguel Delaney here.

Daniel’s piece from last weekend’s Sunday Independent is here, as he looks at how there’s a joy in the unpredictability of the Euros that’s missing in the elite club scene.

Quote of the day

“My dad's side of the family are from St Kitts in the West Indies. They thought it would be nice to get a flag on there (boot). I've had it on there for about a few years. My mum and dad went a few months ago and they were saying that the island knows about me, so I'm going to have to go sometime."

- England’s Cole Palmer opens up on his family roots in the Caribbean.

Number of the day - 84

France forward Antoine Griezmann holds the record for most consecutive appearances in international football. The Atletico Madrid star featured in 84 games in a row between August 2017 and November 2023.

Fact of the day

England have won their group in both Euro campaigns under Gareth Southgate (2020 and 2024) - as many times as the Three Lions had topped their pool in their previous eight tournament appearances.

Tweet of the day

When are the games?

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday, July 5

QF1: Spain v Germany, 5.0, Stuttgart

QF2: Portugal v France, 8.0, Hamburg

Saturday, July 6

QF3: England v Switzerland, 5.0, Dusseldorf

QF4: Netherlands v Turkey, 8.0, Berlin

SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday, July 9

QF1 v QF2, 8.0, Munich

Wednesday, July 10

QF3 v QF4, 8.0, Dortmund

FINAL

Sunday, July 14, 8.0, Berlin