Fans storm field during Real Madrid-AS Roma game in Dallas
By Mike Dyce
A lot of European teams are over in the United States for their preseason tours, and that includes playing in the Guinness International Champions Cup. Real Madrid and AS Roma played against one another at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the home of the Red River Rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.
During the final moments of the game, fans rushed the pitch in an unusually large numbers. Instead of it being an isolated person it was multiple people running onto the field.
From the Dallas Morning News:
"In about the 87th minute, game was delayed for several minutes as several fans ran onto the field, some seeking autographs, while others just wanted to touch one of their soccer heroes. Several of the fans who ran on the field were subdued by security personnel. Play resumed at about the 90th minute with some five minutes of added time."
“We have a lot of support here in America for our players,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said. “Of course, it’s better to play an entire game without suspension.”
A slew of videos were uploaded to the internet of the scene and chaos. Of course if the fans were smarter they wouldn’t have waited to the final moments of the game. Buy doing so they were able to watch most of the game before getting kicked out for running onto the field, but at that point in the game the stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had all been subbed out.
And of course, if you’re going to run on the field and stop a game might as well get a souvenir, which in this fan’s case is a selfie with Madrid midfielder Isco.
And here are some photos from USA Today:
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan runs onto the pitch and takes a selfie with Real Madrid forward Isco (23) during the second half at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan rushes the field and gives Real Madrid forward Isco (23) a hug near the end of the game against AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan rushes the field near the end of the game between Real Madrid and AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan rushes the field near the end of the game between Real Madrid and AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan rushes the field near the end of the game between Real Madrid and AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan rushes the field then takes a selfie with Real Madrid defender Diego Llorente during the game against AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Fans rush the field near the end of the game between Real Madrid and AS Roma at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports