Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘lucky’ not to come to harm after he’s confronted by selfie-seekers, coach says
Dortmund, Germany (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo should count himself fortunate to have escaped unharmed after being accosted on the field by four fans seeking photos during a European Championship play on Saturday, according to Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
The frightening run of security breaches occurred during the second half of Portugal’s 3-0 victory against Turkey at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.
Ronaldo was glad to pose for a photo with a young fan who avoided stewards on the pitch in the 69th minute before taking out his phone.
However, Ronaldo was plainly upset when two more players attempted to do the same in the waning minutes of the game.
Then, just after the final whistle, another guy in a red Portugal shirt approached the 39-year-old striker for a snapshot.
Two additional people attempted to contact Ronaldo as he walked off the field with his teammates but were stopped by security on both occasions.
“It is a problem,” Martinez stated, “since today we were fortunate that the supporters’ intentions were positive.
“We all appreciate a fan who recognizes major performers and idols in their minds. We all agree on that. But you can understand why it was such a tough moment: if those objectives are incorrect, the players are exposed, and we must proceed with caution. “I don’t think that should happen on a football pitch.”
Martinez emphasized the need to send a message to supporters that this behavior was unacceptable.
“It’s not the right way; you’re not going to get anything out of it,” Martinez went on. “And what you do will most likely make the measures worse in the future.
“It’s not good to get the players so exposed when you have people running on the pitch.”
Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo’s teammate and scorer against Turkey, stated that he was “not really concerned” about the supporters that entered the pitch.
“It’s just a bit annoying in terms of having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch,” Silva told reporters. “That’s what comes with being so well-known in the football world.
