Ronaldo fans must stop pitch invasions, Portugal coach says - ESPN

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez urged supporters not to invade the pitch to get to Cristiano Ronaldo against Georgia on Wednesday after confirming the forward will start the Group F fixture at Euro 2024.

Six spectators breached security during and after Portugal's win over Turkey last weekendin search of a selfie with Al Nassr's Ronaldo.

That has prompted UEFA to introduce additional security measures at fixtures in Germany and file criminal complaints against any supporter who invades the pitch.

"[Ronaldo] is a very experienced player who has been with the national team for over 20 years," Martínez said in a news conference on Tuesday.

«He knows the kind of support fans provide — not just Portugal fans, but football fans in general — but I hope there won't be any more pitch invasions.

»It is dangerous, and it is not good for football. It's not the part of the game that we want to see."

Ronaldo, 39, smiled and posed for a picture with a young boy who evaded security to run onto the playing surface in the 70th minute.

A teenage boy then attempted to repeat the stunt 15 minutes later, but Ronaldo threw his arms in the air and waved him away before security stopped the youngster.

On both occasions, German referee Felix Zwayer was forced to delay the game until the youngsters were removed from the pitch.

Two more supporters, this time adult men, ran onto the pitch in stoppage before being stopped by security, with two more spectators repeating the trick once the final whistle had been blown.

Portugal have won both their games at Euro 2024 and are already into the round of 16, but Martínez will resist the urge to rest Ronaldo against Georgia as the player seeks the goal that will make him the oldest scorer in the history of