Keith Hackett: UEFA to issue ban after situation with Tottenham’s Porro and Bergvall

Keith Hackett has strongly criticized the disgraceful behavior of Eintracht Frankfurt fans who hurled missiles at Tottenham stars Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall during a tense European clash.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, made it clear that UEFA would be informed about the troubling incidents and that serious consequences, including a potential stadium ban for Frankfurt, could follow.

Tottenham players rose to the occasion under immense pressure, with Ange Postecoglou’s managerial position reportedly hanging in the balance. Despite the hostile environment both on and off the field, Spurs displayed remarkable composure and professionalism throughout the match.

Although Tottenham’s penalty proved to be the decisive moment that sealed their victory, the contest was overshadowed by the unacceptable conduct of the Frankfurt supporters, creating an intimidating and disruptive atmosphere.

The first major incident occurred in the 25th minute when Tottenham earned a corner. Pedro Porro, tasked with delivering the ball into the box, found himself under attack as Frankfurt fans bombarded him with various objects.

Maintaining his composure, Porro attempted to clear the debris and focus on the task at hand, but the disruption clearly rattled him, resulting in a poor set-piece that missed its intended target by a considerable margin.

Despite a public announcement over the stadium’s PA system warning fans to cease their actions, the aggression persisted. Only minutes later, Lucas Bergvall approached the opposite corner of the pitch to take another corner kick.

Even though he faced a different section of supporters, the young Swedish midfielder encountered the same hostility. Objects once again rained down from the stands, showing a clear and deliberate attempt by the home fans to unsettle the visiting players.

Remarkably, the 19-year-old Bergvall and the entire Tottenham squad showed tremendous professionalism in the face of provocation. They stayed focused, avoided reacting emotionally, and maintained their composure despite the boiling tension.

Although there were brief moments when the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Spurs kept their discipline intact, successfully navigating a volatile encounter to secure a hard-fought victory. Their reward is a place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

Keith Hackett, having carefully reviewed the footage of these incidents, did not hold back in his assessment. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett branded the throwing of missiles as “unacceptable” and stressed that UEFA would not overlook such behavior.

He emphasized that stadium authorities should have responded more proactively once the initial warning was given, suggesting that additional security personnel should have been deployed immediately around the areas where the offenses occurred.

According to Hackett, UEFA’s regulations are clear when it comes to incidents of this nature. The issuing of a public warning already serves as an official acknowledgment of misconduct, making it inevitable that the European football governing body will take further action.

Hackett explained that depending on Eintracht Frankfurt’s disciplinary history, UEFA could impose a heavy fine or, in more serious circumstances, even enforce a stadium closure for their next home fixture in UEFA competition.

The disgraceful scenes have drawn widespread condemnation beyond Hackett’s remarks, with many fans and pundits expressing outrage at the endangerment of players’ safety.

Football, at its core, is a game of passion, but the line between support and recklessness was clearly crossed in Frankfurt. The deliberate targeting of players not only disrupts the flow of the match but also risks serious injury, something UEFA has been increasingly determined to stamp out in recent years.

Tottenham’s ability to maintain their focus and professionalism under such hostile conditions speaks volumes about the character of Postecoglou’s squad. Rather than allowing themselves to be drawn into the chaos, they responded with resilience and maturity, traits that will serve them well as they continue their European campaign.

Meanwhile, the fallout from these incidents will likely cast a long shadow over Eintracht Frankfurt, with UEFA’s disciplinary processes expected to move swiftly and decisively.

The governing body’s response will send a strong message to all clubs and their supporters that such behavior has no place in the modern game.

Football’s greatest stages must be places of passion and respect, not battlegrounds where players fear for their safety. UEFA’s actions in the coming weeks will demonstrate how seriously they take their responsibility to protect players and preserve the integrity of the sport.