England charged by UEFA over laser shone in Danish goalkeeper's eyes and booing of national anthem

8 July 2021, 09:03 | Updated: 8 July 2021, 16:15

A green laser was shone in the face of Kasper Schmeichel as he faced Harry Kane's penalty.
A green laser was shone in the face of Kasper Schmeichel as he faced Harry Kane's penalty. Picture: ITV

By Joe Cook

England have been charged by UEFA after a laser was shone in the face of Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel and fans booed during the opposition's national anthem.

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings following the incidents during Wednesday night's game, with the governing body also investigating the lighting of fireworks inside Wembley Stadium.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: "UEFA are looking into that, that's a matter for them but it's not something we would want to see."

Boris Johnson also urged fans not to boo teams during their national anthem, saying they should be "showing support and being respectful".

Read more: 'Let staff start work late on Monday after Euros final if you can', PM says

Read more: England beat Denmark 2-1 in thrilling match to reach Euro 2020 final

Footage of the match showed a green laser flickering across the Danish keeper's face as the England captain stepped up to take the penalty.

Despite this Schmeichel managed to save the poor quality penalty, but Kane converted the rebound to send Gareth Southgate's men through to a final with Italy on Sunday.

It is believed that a supporter in the crowd shone the laser. ITV presenter Mark Pougatch condemned the action as "unacceptable and ridiculous".

“Whoever they are they’re an idiot, him or her, and we can just hope that it didn’t put Kasper Schmeichel off because it’s stupid and he doesn’t deserve that."

Harry Kane saw his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel but he scored the followup.
Harry Kane saw his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel but he scored the followup. Picture: PA

While Schmeichel did not appear to be affected by the laser, the incident compounds the controversy around the penalty.

Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has admitted he is bitter after England were awarded a penalty by referee Danny Makkelie following Joakim Maehle's challenge on Raheem Sterling.

At the time of the challenge there was a second ball on the pitch and some have accused Sterling of going down easily.

Raheem Sterling was fouled to win the extra time penalty scored by Harry Kane.
Raheem Sterling was fouled to win the extra time penalty scored by Harry Kane. Picture: PA

"It was a penalty which should not have been a penalty," Hjumand said. "It is something which annoys me right now. We are very disappointed."

"You cannot pass by the ball on the pitch which has so much influence on the game.

"I know it sounds weird right now but I cannot help having these feelings. One thing is to lose a game, it happens, but losing this way is disappointing because these guys have fought a lot.

"It feels bitter but we have to digest this before we can discuss these feelings. It's a bitter way to leave the tournament."

Fans celebrate England's second goal

But England Manager Gareth Southgate has said he believes it was a fair result and praised Denmark's Schmeichel as a "top goalkeeper" who "had a fantastic game".

"Denmark have had an incredible tournament. I have got to give them huge credit. I thought they made it really difficult for us tonight. They pressed us so well, scored a fabulous goal - the boy is a super player.

"But I think on the balance of play when you look at the number of saves we forced the goalkeeper to make and long periods of the game where I felt we were the biggest threat, I think we deserved it.

"For our country, I've not heard this new Wembley like that ever and to be able to share that with everybody and share it with everybody at home is very special."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Colette Fairbanks was sacked after sharing ‘offensive’ posts

Brexit views not protected from workplace discrimination, tribunal rules after woman sacked over ‘offensive’ posts

Breaking
The Metropolitan Police carried out a controlled detonation of a suspect package near the US embassy in London

US Embassy in London on 'lockdown' as police investigate 'suspect package'

Coleen Rooney said her husband Wayne has not been forgiven in the court of public opinion

Coleen Rooney opens up on Wayne's 'difficult' mistakes as she says he hasn't been forgiven in court of public opinion

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel

Laos hostel owner arrested after Brit lawyer becomes fifth tourist to die in 'poisoning'

Holly Bowles, 19, from Melbourne, has died in the ‘methanol mass poisoning’

Sixth person dies in Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ as hostel owner detained by police

Exclusive
Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

'We're destroying what should be the finest river on Earth': Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

Household energy bills will rise again from January

Household energy bills to rise by £21 a year from January in further blow for Brits this winter

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

'The world must respond': Zelenskyy warns that Putin is 'testing' the West after confirmed use of new ballistic missile

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed