Anger over Figo transfer behind Euro 2004 final pitch invasion
The Spanish man who invaded the pitch in the final minutes of the Euro 2004 final between Portugal and Greece said he was motivated by lingering anger over Portuguese star Luis Figo's transfer from Barcelona to Madrid in 2000.
The Spanish man who invaded the pitch in the final minutes of the Euro 2004 final between Portugal and Greece said he was motivated by lingering anger over Portuguese star Luis Figo's transfer from Barcelona to Madrid in 2000.
"I did it for fame, but with a cause. Figo is a sell-out," the 29-year-old from Barcelona who goes by the name "Jimmy Jump" told daily newspaper 24Horas.
The man raced across the pitch at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon and threw a Barcelona scarf into Figo's face before he hurled himself against the back of the Greek net.
He was carried off the pitch by police and charged with public order offences.
A court in Lisbon on Monday released him without setting bail terms until a trial date is set, the newspaper said. Greece won the match 1-0.
The Spaniard has targeted other high-profile events before, most recently at the Spanish Grand Prix, according to the Internet page (www.jimmyjump.com) advertised on the black T-shirt he wore to the Euro final.
Figo has routinely faced protests by Barcelona fans since his 46 million euro, then-world record, transfer from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real Madrid four years ago.
A Russian journalist who jumped from the stands and ran half the length of the pitch at the same stadium during his side's first phase Euro 2004 match against Portugal was discharged after a Lisbon court handed him a reprimand.