The draw ceremony for the European Championship was marred by a rather unexpected disturbance on Saturday. As team names were being announced on stage, a series of bizarre moaning noises filled the air, capturing everyone’s attention. The interruption, which resembled sexual sounds, persisted for several minutes, causing both confusion and amusement among the audience. The entire incident unfolded at a concert hall in Hamburg and was broadcasted live.
A Prankster Takes Credit
Shortly after the incident, a British prankster claimed responsibility for the stunt through his social media channels. He proudly shared footage of himself making phone calls to activate a specific ringtone in the venue. It appeared that the concert hall’s excellent acoustics amplified the sound, ensuring its audibility throughout the room. Furthermore, a subsequent video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, depicted the prankster inside the venue during a rehearsal for the event, adding to the evidence of his involvement.
When Did It Start?
The peculiar noises first emerged after Switzerland’s name was announced during the ceremony. As the draw proceeded, former Spain and Manchester City player David Silva drew a ball to allocate the team’s position in the game schedule. At that moment, the cameras panned to Dominique Blanc, the president of the Swiss soccer federation, who appeared bewildered as he looked towards the stage. Even UEFA’s director of competitions, Giorgio Marchetti, acknowledged the interruption in his commentary, but swiftly continued with the draw for the remaining six places.
Not the First Time
Interestingly, this is not the first instance of such disruptions causing chaos during a live broadcast. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred during a BBC coverage of an English football game between Wolves and Liverpool. In that case, it was revealed to be nothing more than a prank involving a mobile phone being placed near the studio, triggering the unwanted sounds. The BBC later issued an apology for any offense caused to viewers.
The individual responsible for the eccentric interruption has a history of such shenanigans. In fact, he had previously been banned from all sporting events in England and Wales for a period of two years following an incident at a cricket match in 2021. During a test match between England and India, the prankster invaded the field and disrupted the game by charging at an England batter. These previous exploits paint a picture of a serial prankster who seeks attention through his unconventional antics.
While the draw ceremony will undoubtedly be remembered for the unexpected moaning noises, it should not overshadow the upcoming European Championship itself. Euro 2024 is set to take place across ten German cities from June 14 to July 14, culminating in the final match at Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion. As football fans eagerly await the tournament, participating teams will now focus on their preparations, hoping to showcase their skills and claim the coveted championship title.
The disruptive moaning noises during the European Championship draw ceremony provided a moment of both confusion and amusement for viewers. The prankster behind the incident took credit for his elaborate plan, showcasing his ability to cause chaos in unexpected ways. Although such disruptions are not new, they remain a source of frustration and controversy, particularly when they interfere with important events. Nevertheless, as Euro 2024 approaches, football enthusiasts can set their sights on the tournament itself and the thrilling matches that await.