Portugal coach bemoans risk to player safety as pitch invaders ...

DORTMUND - Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said it was lucky that none of the multiple fans who invaded the pitch during his team's Euro 2024 game against Turkey on Saturday had ill intentions after several supporters ran on looking for a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Group F match in Dortmund, which Portugal won 3-0, was interrupted on several occasions in the second half as pitch invaders got away from security in an attempt to take a photograph with the 39-year-old superstar.

The first fan, a young boy wearing a red tracksuit top, emerged from the stand behind the benches midway through the second half and made his way towards the Portugal skipper.

Ronaldo posed smiling for a photo before the pitch invader ran off trying to escape stewards.

They eventually caught up with him and escorted him away to applause from the stands.

At least five other fans managed to get onto the pitch atempting to pull off the same stunt, either during the match or after the final whistle, but Ronaldo grew increasingly exasperated with the unwanted attention.

"It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good," Martinez told reporters following the match, after Portugal secured qualification for the last 16.

"I think that we all love a fan who recognises the big stars who are icons in their lands.

"I think we all agree with that, but you can understand that it is a very difficult moment if those intentions are wrong.