What to know
- Four fans are facing trespassing charges after running onto the field during Toronto FC’s Matchday 12 game in an attempt to meet soccer star Lionel Messi at BMO Field.
- Videos shared on social media showed multiple pitch invasions throughout the match, including one fan allegedly making contact with Messi’s arm before being tackled by security guards.
- Toronto Police Service confirmed four people were charged under the city’s Trespass to Property Act following the incidents.
- The repeated field invasions sparked debate online, with some fans criticizing weak security measures ahead of Toronto hosting matches for the FIFA World Cup, while others defended the fans’ excitement over seeing Messi play.
Four people will have to pay for more than just their Toronto FC tickets, after they were charged for running onto the field mid-match, in a possible attempt to meet soccer icon Lionel Messi.
Social media users who attended Saturday’s Matchday 12 game at BMO Field claimed to have seen interruptions from four fans who ran on to the field at different points of the game.
In multiple videos posted online, the pitch invader involved was seen running toward Messi.
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In one instance, Instagram user @shabir_parwani_10 recorded a POV-style shot of himself running onto the field, and attempting to take a photo with Messi before being tackled by security guards. In this case, he allegedly made contact with the world-renowned player’s arm, something he claimed happened because he was pushed by security.
In an email to Now Toronto, the Toronto Police Service said following the multiple incidents four people were charged under the city’s Trespass to Property Act.
Now Toronto reached out to Toronto FC and the City of Toronto for comment on security measures ahead of the FIFA World Cup, but did not hear back by publication.
Online reaction
Following the four pitching invasions, fans on social media commented on the multiple angles shot and posted of the invasions.
“Brooo I recorded [@shabir_parwani_10] tooo [and] ‘cause of you three other people went in too,” one Instagram user commented on the POV video.
Some X users didn’t agree with pitch invasions, going as far as saying those who do it should be in prison for life.
“No consequences for their actions so they keep doing [it],” they said. “Never let them see their family again and they will learn.”
“So, do the kids that do this get the $50k fine, jail time, and lifetime ban?” another X user asked.
Some fans on social media were a bit more understanding.
“It’s Messi guys don’t blame them, I would probably do the same thing with Ronaldo,” one X user wrote.
“People came to just see the GOAT. Always expect invasions when he is playing,” another X user agreed. “Though it is a security risk, for little kids at least they should be lenient.”
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, some fans raised concerns on security measures at BMO Field.
“So, security failures before Toronto hosts the World Cup,” one X user wrote. “This will be a headline.”
Another claimed security was inadequate at entry as well.
“Security was non-existent for entry…. After meandering through the new corrals, we never had to show our tickets to ANYone….just walked right in,” the X user wrote. “Complete fail for the [World Cup] ‘practice run up.’”
“I thought they would have subbed [Messi] off after the first pitch invader. The second one injured his arm,” one X user claimed. “I wonder how many people without tickets will jump those fences for the World Cup if that’s gonna be the set up before all the matches in Toronto.”
The next game at BMO Field — or rather, Toronto Stadium — will be the first FIFA World Cup game in Toronto, with Team Canada and Team Bosnia and Herzegovina facing off on June 12.
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