MUNICH (Germany), June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Munich police are investigating whether a man who landed on the pitch during Tuesday’s European football Championship match between Germany and France committed criminal offences including against the Air Traffic Act.
Munich police said the 38-year-old, who was protesting on behalf of environmental group Greenpeace, had been arrested after two men were injured when the protester using a paramotor and parachute got tangled in camera wires and debris came down. The injured men are in hospital.
“Munich police emphasises that there is no understanding whatsoever for such irresponsible actions, in which there was a considerable endangerment of human life,” a statement said.
Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder told local radio: “This will be dealt with carefully, this is a clear violation. This is not a trivial offence.”
European football’s governing body UEFA spoke of a “reckless and dangerous” act while the German Football Federation (DFB) also condemned the protest.
Greenpeace apologized and said the man was not meant to land on the pitch but had been asked to throw a large latex ball on to the field to demonstrate against tournament sponsor Volkswagen.
On Twitter, the organization said the action “never had the intention to disturb the game or to injure people.”
Greenpeace said its protests were always supposed to be peaceful and free of violence. “Unfortunately everything did not go to plan with this action.”
The intention was for a large latex ball to be dropped on the field and the parachutist, with the aid of a motor, to navigate away.
Greenpeace wanted to protest against German car manufacturer Volkswagen. They called on Twitter for the firm to stop selling diesel and petrol cars which damage the environment. — NNN-AGENCIES
