Featured Image Credit: PA/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Topics: Football, Real Madrid
Anish Vij
Topics: Football, Real Madrid
The man who attempted to invade the field during the Champions League final at Wembley has pleaded guilty to the offence and is facing a hefty ban.
On the pitch, Saturday (1 June) saw Real Madrid win their 15th European trophy against Borussia Dortmund by 2-0.
Off the pitch, however, Metropolitan Police made 56 arrests as some tried to force their way onto the football ground.
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"It is illegal to enter the field of play at Wembley Stadium, and we strongly condemn the actions of those who interrupted the UEFA Champions League Final shortly after kick-off,” stadium bosses said in a statement.
“All of the individuals have now been arrested. We will support the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken.”
Ukranian Yevhenii Lubnenko was one person who attempted to invade the field of play.
The 29-year-old was stopped by stewards less than three minutes after Saturday’s kick-off, the court heard.
Meanwhile, the Uber driver says he did it as part of a £250,000 'prank'.
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Lubnenko, who was unable to give the court a UK address, said he was set up by a Belarusian vlogger based in Moscow, who offered the cash reward to anyone who invaded the pitch while wearing a T-shirt with his name Mellstroy on it.
District Judge Michael Snow said: “The real villain is the Russian who is offering around 300,000 dollars in the UK to do what you regard as a prank.
"I cannot punish him because he is not here.
“You recognise that this was a major sporting event for the UK. It was an important club football match in Europe that takes place in any year.
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"The eyes of Europeans and many people around the world are on the match and they want to watch the match uninterrupted.
“The players taking part in that match are taking part in an important match in their career.”
The judge told him: “I appreciate that you did not manage it (to get on to the pitch). You did not really come to the watch the match because you would be kicked out before the game got going, so you came here for the money.
“Is that fair or not fair?”
Lubnenko responded: “Yes, that’s fair.”
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He sad he was 'very sorry about what I tried to do'.
As well as being banned from football matches in the UK for three years, Lubnenko was also fined £1,000, cut to £660, for his guilty plea, with an £85 cost and a £264 witness surcharge.