Marcel Sabitzer struck by coin as Euro 2024 safety fears increase after Gareth Southgate incident

Austria took on Turkey in a frenetic Euro 2024 round of 16 clash and the game was interrupted late on as objects were thrown by some spectators inside the stadium in Leipzig

Marcel Sabitzer holding his head during Austria's Euro 2024 clash with Turkey

Marcel Sabitzer holding his head during Austria’s Euro 2024 clash with Turkey (
Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer appeared to be struck by a coin during the latter stages of his national team’s Euro 2024 game against Turkey, and it wasn’t the first time objects have been thrown from the stands during the tournament.

England manager Gareth Southgate was targeted with plastic cups as England laboured to a goalless draw against Slovenia in their final group game. Captain Harry Kane called for calm after that clash, and went on to score the winner against Slovakia in the round of 16.

The tournament hasn’t been without its safety fears. In addition to the incidents involving Southgate and Sabitzer, players have been approached by fans entering the field of play – most notably in the group game between Portugal and Turkey.

Sabitzer’s Austria were trailing when a missile was thrown in his direction in the second half. Turkey players were seen pleading with fans to stop, and Vincenzo Montella’s team were able to hold on for a narrow 2-1 victory when the dust settled.

Austria topped their group ahead of France and the Netherlands, helped by Sabitzer’s winner against the latter. They trailed inside a minute against Turkey, though, when Merih Demiral took advantage of uncertainty after a set-piece.

Demiral hadn’t scored an international goal in more than two years, but bagged his second around the hour mark. Michael Gregoritsch pulled one back, but Turkey held on – thanks in no small part to a stunning late save from goalkeeper Mert Gunok to deny Christoph Baumgartner.

“We certainly didn’t have the luck we need today. Otherwise the ball would have gone in in the last minute,” Austria boss Ralf Rangnick said after the game. “If the game goes into extra time, we have a very good chance of winning.”

Marcel Sabitzer went to ground after being struck by the object
Marcel Sabitzer went to ground after being struck by the object ( 
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)

Earlier in the tournament, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez questioned security at Euros matches. Several pitch invaders made it onto the pitch as his team took on Turkey in the group stages, with one young fan securing a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good,” Martinez said. “We all love a fan who recognises the big stars and the big icons in their life. We all agree with that. But there is a very, very difficult moments if those intentions are wrong – the players are exposed and we need to be careful with that.

“I don’t think that should happen on a football pitch. There is a lot of security and a lot of protection and it should not happen. And probably we should give a message to the fans that it’s not the right way, you’re not going to get anything out of it and probably the measures will get worse for the future. It’s not good to have the players so exposed when people are running on the pitch.”