Keith Hackett Slams “Unacceptable” Behaviour from Frankfurt Fans After Missiles Thrown at Tottenham’s Porro and Bergvall
Former Premier League referee chief Keith Hackett has issued a strong condemnation of the shocking scenes that unfolded during Tottenham Hotspur’s recent European clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, where players Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall were targeted by objects hurled from the stands.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett — who previously led the PGMOL and served as a FIFA-listed referee — made it clear that such actions cannot be tolerated. He confirmed that UEFA would be made aware of the incident and warned that Frankfurt could face severe sanctions, including a potential stadium ban, depending on their disciplinary record.
The heated encounter, which ended in a vital victory for Spurs, was filled with tension both on and off the pitch. With manager Ange Postecoglou under intense scrutiny and reportedly fighting to keep his job, Tottenham’s players responded with grit and composure. One of the key moments came when playmaker James Maddison bravely surged into the box, drawing a foul that earned a penalty. Dominic Solanke coolly converted the spot-kick, securing what proved to be the winning goal.
However, despite the importance of the result, much of the post-match discussion has been dominated by the disturbing behavior of the home supporters.
In the 25th minute of the match, Tottenham won a corner. As Pedro Porro made his way to take the set piece, he was met with a barrage of missiles launched from the stands by hostile Frankfurt fans. The Spanish defender attempted to brush the objects aside and carry on, but the chaos clearly impacted his delivery, with the resulting corner flying wildly off target.
Despite an official stadium announcement calling for calm and warning supporters, the hostility continued. Just minutes later, 19-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall went to the opposite corner to take another set piece. Even though he faced a different section of the crowd, he encountered the same treatment — objects hurled in his direction in an effort to disrupt and intimidate.
To their credit, Bergvall and the rest of the Tottenham squad maintained their composure in the face of provocation. Though there were flashes of rising tempers on the field, the players held firm and didn’t allow themselves to be dragged into a reaction. Their discipline and professionalism helped see them through a difficult contest, and they now move on to face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the competition.
In response to the disturbing scenes, Keith Hackett didn’t mince his words. After reviewing the match footage, he stated:
“The throwing of missiles at any game is unacceptable, and with the public warning issued at this game, it should be followed up with the positioning of more security people around the area where the offences are taking place.”
Hackett further stressed that the stadium announcement is likely to play a key role in UEFA’s assessment of the situation. He explained that European football’s governing body is likely to take disciplinary action, which could range from a hefty fine to a more severe penalty depending on the club’s prior history with fan misconduct.
“The fact that the stadium announcement increment has been made, UEFA will be made aware of the events and will take action through a substantial fine, or if the club’s record is a poor one, a stadium ban could be imposed at their next UEFA home game.”
UEFA is expected to review the incident in full, and if Eintracht Frankfurt is found to have failed in ensuring the safety of players on the pitch, the consequences could be significant. With safety and order being top priorities for the organization, Hackett’s warning serves as a reminder that clubs must take responsibility for their supporters’ behavior — or face the consequences.
As Tottenham prepares for the next round, they can take pride in having come through a fiery night in Germany with not only a hard-fought win but also their dignity intact.
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Exclusive: UEFA to issue ban after situation with Tottenham’s Porro and Bergvall
