England's First Training Session Interrupted by Club Wembley Prankster
England's First Training Session Interrupted by Club Wembley Prankster
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STAFFORDSHIRE - England's first training session of the Euro 2016 campaign was marred by a security scare that saw a prankster run onto the pitch and start playing football.
Only days after the bomb scare at Old Trafford the young man, who is actually the son of a wealthy Club Wembley member, was spotted by chief physiotherapist Gary Lewin before being escorted from St George's Park by security staff.
Much to the annoyance of embarrassed Football Association staff, he was there at the national football centre as a 'bonafide guest' who had to sign in, was provided with a wristband and invited along with other official visitors to get autographs at the end of the session.
But this particular individual, described by staff as an internet wannabe looking to boost his Twitter following and gain some publicity for his pirate radio station, had friends ready to film him as he ran onto the pitch. Earlier in the afternoon he had been seen in the on-site hotel dressed in his England kit.
The players were taking a drinks break when he ran towards the area Hodgson had been occupying and began to have a kick-about. A sharp-eyed Lewin shouted for him to get off the field and did as requested, although not before taking a shot at goal – only to miss.
It was only then, once he was sat back in the stand, that he was confronted by security staff and asked to leave.
In a statement the FA said: 'The person in question was the son of an invited Club Wembley member who had to follow a formal registration process on entry to St George's Park.
'The FA were aware of his identity and we will take the appropriate action in due course as a result of this unacceptable behaviour.'
It is possible the father will lose his Club Wembley membership as a result for making an already challenging first day for Hodgson all the more farcical.
The England manager's decision to select only three centre-halves for the European Championship will come under further scrutiny after an injury to Gary Cahill left him with only one central defender for his opening training session.
With Chris Smalling still on FA Cup duty with Manchester United and Cahill nursing a 'knock' that forced him to sit out Wednesday's session here at St George's Park, Hodgson was left with just John Stones for an eight-a-side game.
The FA are confident Cahill will be fit for Sunday's friendly against Turkey at the Etihad Stadium, but in his absence England manager Hodgson had to ask Eric Dier to step into the role.
Only days after the bomb scare at Old Trafford the young man, who is actually the son of a wealthy Club Wembley member, was spotted by chief physiotherapist Gary Lewin before being escorted from St George's Park by security staff.
Much to the annoyance of embarrassed Football Association staff, he was there at the national football centre as a 'bonafide guest' who had to sign in, was provided with a wristband and invited along with other official visitors to get autographs at the end of the session.
But this particular individual, described by staff as an internet wannabe looking to boost his Twitter following and gain some publicity for his pirate radio station, had friends ready to film him as he ran onto the pitch. Earlier in the afternoon he had been seen in the on-site hotel dressed in his England kit.
The players were taking a drinks break when he ran towards the area Hodgson had been occupying and began to have a kick-about. A sharp-eyed Lewin shouted for him to get off the field and did as requested, although not before taking a shot at goal – only to miss.
It was only then, once he was sat back in the stand, that he was confronted by security staff and asked to leave.
In a statement the FA said: 'The person in question was the son of an invited Club Wembley member who had to follow a formal registration process on entry to St George's Park.
'The FA were aware of his identity and we will take the appropriate action in due course as a result of this unacceptable behaviour.'
It is possible the father will lose his Club Wembley membership as a result for making an already challenging first day for Hodgson all the more farcical.
The England manager's decision to select only three centre-halves for the European Championship will come under further scrutiny after an injury to Gary Cahill left him with only one central defender for his opening training session.
With Chris Smalling still on FA Cup duty with Manchester United and Cahill nursing a 'knock' that forced him to sit out Wednesday's session here at St George's Park, Hodgson was left with just John Stones for an eight-a-side game.
The FA are confident Cahill will be fit for Sunday's friendly against Turkey at the Etihad Stadium, but in his absence England manager Hodgson had to ask Eric Dier to step into the role.
(rnz)
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