Snoozefest: England fan falls asleep in stadium at Euro 2024
An England fan reportedly fell asleep at the Schalke stadium during the England vs. Serbia match at the 2024 European Championship on June 16, after apparently having one too many strong beverages. However, the admission has been disputed by UEFA officials.
Brit Tom Kitchin says he fell asleep in the stadium and woke up again at 4 a.m. – as made evident in a video posted on TikTok.
Photo: Screenshot TikTok, @awaydaylads5
In the video, he says: "I just woke up, it's 4 a.m. I'm shaking," as the Frankfurter Rundschau reports. In the background, you can see the empty stands of the stadium.
Photo: Screenshot TikTok, @awaydaylads5
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UEFA, however, doubted the authenticity of the video: "It is obvious that this video was not recorded during the tournament or even in the last few weeks, as there is no signage, no branding and no UEFA Euro 2024 protocol elements in the stadium," it said in response to a request from the German Press Agency (dpa), as reported by FR.
The line markings on the pitch could not be seen either.
Der Spiegel contacted Kitchin, and he was able to report details from the night and the morning.
Photo: Screenshot TikTok, @awaydaylads5
He shared a photo of him in the stands after the game. In the background, you can see the board with the final score.
The Englishman also told the German newspaper that he met security guards who asked him what he was doing there. He explained himself, whereupon they laughed.
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The security people mentioned by Kitchin have not yet commented. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also not yet commented on Kitchin's latest details.
If Kitchin's description is correct, the England fan was at least lucky and escaped the chaos that followed the tense match between England and Serbia. There had already been physical altercations prior to the match as well.
Pictured: English hooligans engage in ugly clashes with Serbian fans
Since it was a deemed a high-risk game, there were more police officers on duty and only 2% alcohol beer was served. Somehow still Kitchin managed to overdo it, apparently.
Or maybe it wasn't the alcohol at all, and it was the lack of action on the pitch in England's 1-0 win. England have been widely criticised for their overly defensive style of play, resulting in two rather dull games so far. You be the judge!
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