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German police probe failed Greenpeace Euro 2020 protest

June 16, 2021

Two people are in hospital after a Greenpeace activist crash landed in the stadium ahead of Germany's match with France. The environment group has received a backlash for its "reckless" act.

https://p.dw.com/p/3v19V
A Greenpeace protestor glides on to the pitch before the match.
The 38-year-old man, who was protesting on behalf of environmental group Greenpeace, could face criminal offences including against the Air Traffic Act.Image: Pool via REUTERS

Munich police are investigating after a protester parachuted onto the pitch just as Tuesday's Euro 2020 match between Germany and France was about to kick off.

Two people were injured after the activist lost control of the motor-powered paraglider and had to perform an emergency landing.

Police said they had "no understanding whatsoever for such irresponsible actions, in which there was a considerable endangerment of human life."

Why did the Greenpeace activist crash?

Greenpeace spokesperson Benjamin Stephan said the paraglider was supposed to fly over the stadium and drop a latex ball with a message of protest onto the field. 

The parachutist came in at a steep angle and appeared to clip a cable when entering the stadium. He struggled to gain control before landing heavily at the far end of the pitch where players were waiting to start the Group F match.

Debris fell from the stadium roof, narrowly missing French coach Didier Deschamps.

French coach Deschamps watches his players during the World Cup final soccer in 2018
France coah Didier Deschamps sustained a "little bruise" while ducking the parachuteImage: picture alliance/dpa/A. Vilf

The parachute bore the words "Kick out oil" to protest tournament sponsor Volkswagen.

Greenpeace apologized, saying it was "never our intention to disrupt the game or cause injury. We hope that no one is seriously injured."

What was the reaction to the protest?

European football's governing body, UEFA and the German Football Association (DFB) said the failed stunt was "reckless and dangerous." 

"This inconsiderate act, which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending, caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action," UEFA said in a statement.

Police refrained from deploying snipers because of the Greenpeace logo on the parachute, according to Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann.

The stadium in Munich is in the southern German state of Bavaria.

State Premier Markus Söder told local radio that authorities are taking the incident seriously.

"This will be dealt with carefully," Söder said. "This is a clear violation. This is not a trivial offense."

Euro 2020: Celebration and disappointment after France-Germany game

on/rt (dpa/Reuters/AP)