EM fan spends the night in Schalke stadium? Questionable statement from UEFA

According to UEFA, the Tiktok video of a fan’s alleged overnight stay in the Schalke football arena was not taken after England’s European Championship match against Serbia. “It is obvious that this video was not taken during the tournament or even in the last few weeks, as there are no signage, branding or protocol elements of UEFA Euro 2024 in the stadium,” the European Football Union said in response to a request from the star in writing.

In addition, no line markings were visible on the pitch, according to the association. However, these should be visible “if the video had actually been recorded in the hours after the game.”

But are the UEFA figures correct? According to research by star/RTL at least parts of the statement are questionable.

These details cast doubt on the UEFA statement

Line markings can still be recognized

It is not true that no line markings can be seen in the video. Shortly before the jump to second 15 of the video, both a sideline and parts of the penalty area markings can be seen for a fraction of a second. The fact that no lines can be seen in the more distant part of the stadium is probably due to the poor quality of the recording.

Pattern on corner of video cube identical to EM agency image

In the Tiktok video, the stadium’s video cube is filmed relatively still for a brief moment at second 14. In this shot, a line pattern can be seen on the corner of the video cube, which can also be seen exactly like this in a photo from the German Press Agency.

Flag pattern on parapet of upper stadium area

In fact, due to the low resolution, neither the UEFA logo nor any protocol elements can be clearly seen in the video. However, a second recording of the Englishman is circulating alongside the video that has gone viral.

In a short shot, colorful flags can be seen on the outside of the parapet, which, as various agency images show, are displayed throughout the stadium – only interrupted by green and blue sections. During Bundesliga matches, however, the parapet is completely blue and has the club name and sponsor written on it. UEFA’s claim that the video could possibly have been recorded weeks ago is therefore not tenable.

Author of the video unknown

The video made the rounds on the Internet on Monday evening. Numerous media outlets reported on it. In it, the man, who pretends to have been sleepless, says: “I just woke up. It’s four in the morning. I’m shaking.” Then he pans the camera through the empty arena, where the lights are on.

The video was posted the day after the game by the account “away day lads” among others. “England fan who woke up in the stadium at 4am this morning,” it said. It is unclear who the author of the video is – and therefore also whether the man actually spent part of the night in the stadium or whether someone was just playing a joke.