F1 star Lando Norris ‘shaken up’ after £40,000 watch stolen by muggers during Euro 2020 final chaos at Wembley
McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris was among those to have been targeted by thugs during the chaotic scenes which transpired during England’s Euro 2020 final with Italy on Sunday evening.
What promised to be a glorious day for English football instead descended into another black eye for the sport, as fans hopes of welcoming “home” football after 55 years of misery at international tournaments were again dashed from the penalty spot after 120 minutes of action at Wembley.
But this particular shiner wasn’t solely down to the latest penalty shootout heartbreak England has been forced to endure, but also down to the thuggish scenes which transpired in and around Wembley stadium before, during and after the game – when hundreds of unruly ticketless English fans attempted to force their way into the stadium.
Social media footage captured at various point during the incidents showed fights and bottle-throwing happening en masse – with reports of players’ families being caught up in melees.
Former England rugby international Mike Tindall and his royal wife Zara were among those caught up in scuffles, with Tindall later telling the media that he helped break up a fight featuring at least one ticketless fan who received a broken nose in a fight – with Zara, who is Princess Anne’s daughter – reportedly having to wipe clean blood from her seat.
F1 star Norris was another who was targeted by the thugs, and was mugged of his £40,000 ($55,000) watch after being attacked by a group of football supporters.
According to reports, Norris was attempting to leave the area around the stadium in his £165,000 McLaren GT sports car when he was grabbed by one fan while another ripped his top of the line watch from his wrist.
“Lando was held and another robber pulled off his watch in a split second. Lando looked pretty shaken up. Security had been a nightmare all night,” The Sun quoted an eyewitness as saying.
Shortly beforehand Norris had posted a picture of him at the game to his 3.4 million Instagram followers in which he commiserated England on their defeat.
A spokesperson for the McLaren team he represents said that Norris was “understandably shaken” after the mugging.
Initial reports estimate that at least 2,500 ticketless fans forced entry to Wembley ahead of the game, with many occupying seats which had been legitimately purchased by supporters. Many refused to move when confronted.
Health chiefs, including the WHO, have slammed English footballing authorities for flagrant disregard of Covid-19 protocols and a lack of adequate security at the game – with some predicting the incidents to be a death knell for England’s joint bid with Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup.
The Metropolitan Police have reported 53 arrests due to the violent scenes at Wembley, with Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh referring to the various incidents as a “national disgrace“.
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