Just before the kick-off of the European Championship match between Germany and France (0-1), a remarkable incident took place. A Greenpeace paraglider flew into the Allianz Arena and landed on the field, while Joachim Löw and Didier Deschamps players stood ready to start the match. The paraglider, which carried a motorbike on its back, flew right over the audience after hitting the cable of the floating camera, then plopped down on the field.
Several spectators were injured in the failed protest by Greenpeace, UEFA announced. Images show how Deschamps has to duck for material that lands in the dug-out. UEFA says the authorities will take further steps after ‘the reckless and dangerous’ action. “As a result of this ill-considered action, which could have very serious consequences for a large number of people, several spectators were injured and taken to hospital. The authorities will take the necessary action.”
OMG!!! Zum Glück is not passionrt… Schockstarre… pic.twitter.com/FYcZQFilT9
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 15, 2021
Greenpeace said the action was a protest against Volkswagen, one of the sponsors of the European Championship. On the yellow parachute was the name of the environmental organization and the text Kick out oil!. According to Greenpeace, the intention was that the paraglider would throw a ball onto the field in the Bayern Munich stadium and then fly away again.
“This protest was not intended to disrupt the game or injure people,” Greenpeace reports via social media. “We hope everyone is okay and no one was seriously injured. Greenpeace’s actions are always peaceful and nonviolent. Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan with this campaign.”
Can’t believe I just caught this on video. Parachuted into the stadium, got caught in the spider cam and nearly crashed into the crowd. hope he’s ok! #GERFRA #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/PJ49WYdFM9
— Max Merrill (@MaxMerrill_) June 15, 2021
Television viewers were not informed of the incident, but images appeared on Twitter that fans and journalists had made in the stadium. “I can’t believe I just filmed this,” one of them wrote.
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