A young boy named Berat Cetin made headlines as the first of five fans who managed to run onto the field at Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund during the Euro 2024 match between Portugal and Turkey. The match, which Portugal won 3-0, saw Berat execute a daring plan to meet his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Plan details
During a break in the second half, Berat, dressed in a red sports uniform, dashed onto the field. Ronaldo warmly welcomed him and posed for a selfie, making it a memorable night for the young fan.
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Berat shared his excitement, saying, “I just fulfilled my dream. Now I have a picture with Cristiano Ronaldo that I’ll print on a T-shirt and hang in my room.” He had confided his plan to friends beforehand, admitting, “I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”
Berat, who plays football for the youth team of German club Hessen Kassel, revealed how he managed his daring feat. He told Bild that he initially told his father he was going to the bathroom, then climbed onto the bench and ran onto the field.
Additional warning and insurance
Berat’s father, witnessing the scene, remarked, “Suddenly, I saw him on the bench and then he started running onto the field.” Security eventually apprehended Berat, who faced potential penalties but was let off with a warning due to his young age, as UEFA decided not to press charges.
Berat jokingly expressed concern about possible future consequences, saying, “I would be very scared if we had to pay a lot of money.”
In response to such incidents, UEFA announced plans for increased security measures at all 10 stadiums across Germany hosting Euro 2024 matches. Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, expressed concern over such breaches, emphasizing the need to protect players from unexpected fan interactions.
Berat’s escapade, driven by his admiration for Ronaldo, captured the attention of football fans worldwide, highlighting both the thrill and risks associated with fan interactions at major sporting events.
