UEFA has confirmed that England have been accused of many incidents of concern for fans during Wednesday’s 2-1 victory against Denmark, including the use of a laser pointer against goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
When Schmeichel set up for Harry Kane’s penalty for extra time, you could see a green laser pointing at the Dane, but it did not seem to bother him much because he still managed to save the penalty and was only struck by the rebound.
Unsurprisingly, UEFA has taken a weak view of the incident and has confirmed on its official website that it was one of three moments of bad fan behavior that England has been accused of.
In addition to the laser pointing, England supporters are also accused of having caused “disturbances” during the national anthems, as well as lighting fireworks during the match.
As the Daily Mail noted, Met Police also looked at the incident with the laser pointer to determine whether criminal charges would be brought against the person responsible.
There seemed to be a laser aimed at Kasper Schmeichel moments before Kane’s penalty that won while there was a second ball on the pitch during play. pic.twitter.com/xAQgNYwOi8
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 8, 2021
To add to all the drama, the punishment used by the laser should perhaps not be given. There have been allegations that Raheem Sterling dived in the first place – something that the English winger vehemently denies – but there was also a second ball on the pitch at the time that could have seen the game paused.
Referees are not obliged to stop the game if a second ball finds its way to the pitch and is instead encouraged to use its discretion to determine if it has disrupted the game or not. Given that the ball was in the same corner as Sterling’s run, there is one case that suggests it could have been a distraction.
THIS IS THE MEANING! ? pic.twitter.com/ntxbbqawL6
– England (@England) 7 July 2021
The incidents and controversies did not ruin what was otherwise an entertaining game played in a relatively high mood by those on the field.
Mikkel Damsgaard’s excellent free kick gave Denmark an early advantage, but England leveled through a Simon Kjaers own goal and eventually took control through Kane’s tapping after his saved penalty.
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