Euro 24 security scandal as 'YouTuber sneaks into Germany-Scotland stadium dressed as tournament teddy bear mascot'
- Marvin Wildhage reportedly reached the edge of the pitch ahead of the match
Euro 2024 is facing fresh security concerns after a YouTuber says he managed to sneak into the stadium where the Germany-Scotland game was being held dressed as a tournament teddy bear mascot.
Marvin Wildhage claimed he was able to reach the edge of the pitch ahead of the European Championship's opening match despite having a fake ID and no accreditation, German media reports.
The 27-year-old, who has more than 870,000 subscribers on YouTube and filmed the entire stunt, reportedly got in to the Munich Arena along with two other men.
As well as disguising himself in the knock-off costume, the vlogger says he rented a black VW and stuck fake German Football Association (DFB) logos on it as well as the words 'Volkswagen Mobility Service'.
It is the latest in a series of security scares reported at the tournament, with a police officer telling BILD that it highlights failings on the part of UEFA staff and demonstrates the potential risks.
Marvin Wildhage was able to reach the edge of the pitch ahead of the European Championship's opening match, German media reports
Footage appears to show the YouTuber dressed as Albärt the bear wandering out to the edge of the pitch
UEFA reportedly confirmed to news outlet Stern that 'an incident involving a fake mascot costume' had taken place during the national team's 5-1 win against Scotland on Friday.
Video shows Wildhage smuggling himself into the arena in the official-looking car he rented, speaking with stewards on the way before changing into the Albärt the bear costume.
The footage then shows him wandering out to the edge of the pitch, waving to the crowds in the packed-out stadium.
At the end of the video, he says that he was eventually apprehended and taken into custody by the security forces.
The prank was not the first time the popular YouTuber has targeted the tournament.
He previously infiltrated the national team's public training session in Jena before the tournament, according to reports.
Wearing training clothes, he stood at the edge of the pitch as the players did passing exercises, before a DFB employee accompanied him to the stands.
There, young spectators reportedly recognised the YouTube star and asked him for an autograph.
Video shows Wildhage smuggling himself into the arena in the official-looking car he rented, speaking with stewards on the way before changing into the Albärt the bear costume
Following Friday's incident, Wildhage is reported to have been banned from the Munich Arena by the European Football Union UEFA.
A police spokesman said that the men involved 'were checked by security personnel inside the stadium and handed over to the police.'
Police spokesman Christian Poganski: 'The Munich Police Headquarters is still in close coordination with the organizer and has [alerted] them, in particular, with regard to the implementation of control tasks at the entrance to the stadium.'
Police are said to be monitoring the activities of stewards at stadiums on a random basis.
Rainer Wendt, head of the German Police Union (DPolG), told BILD: 'This is anything but funny. There are things that simply must not happen.
'The police did their job in the stadiums and then handed it over to UEFA. When so much money is at stake, you can expect more professionalism!'
The incident comes after German police arrested an ISIS terror suspect after he was caught trying to sneak his way into the Euro 2024 football tournament as a security guard.
The suspect, named only as Soufian T, is alleged to have applied to work security on 'side events' outside a stadium in Germany.
'We are pooling the forces of the security authorities even more strongly for the Euros,' Germany's Interior Minister said this week. Pictured: Police outside Munich Arena in March
Authorities assessing his job application found he had been deemed a potential Islamist threat by state security services, prompting police to swoop on him at Cologne-Bonn Airport.
He was arrested alongside his mother and sister; mobile phones and €2,500 in cash were seized.
Security officials claim he had also applied for security accreditations at other major German events, namely the 24 Hour Nurburgring motorsport endurance race and Rock am Ring, a music festival also held at the circuit.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vowed ahead of the tournament that the country was prepared for 'all conceivable dangers'.
UEFA said in a statement: 'We can confirm that there was an incident with a fake mascot costume at the match in Munich on June 14, 2024 between Germany and Scotland.
'Three people have gained unauthorized access to the Munich Football Arena. UEFA has assessed the situation and initiated the necessary organisational measures.
'Three individuals have been banned from entering stadiums hosting UEFA EURO 2024 matches. Please understand that we cannot provide any further information due to the ongoing proceedings of the investigating authorities.'
