Unexplained moaning noises on Saturday disrupted the draw ceremony for UEFA Euro 2024, competing for attention with the team names being read out on stage.
The interruption, which seemed to sound like sexual noises, was clearly heard for several minutes on the ceremony broadcast from a concert hall in Hamburg, Germany.
A British prankster claimed credit on social media for the stunt and posted footage of himself making cellphone calls to activate a ring tone in the venue, which has excellent acoustics.
Photo: AFP
A later clip posted on X appeared to show the prankster inside the venue during a rehearsal for the hour-long evening event.
UEFA declined to comment on the incident.
The noises started after Switzerland’s name was announced and a subsequent ball to allocate the team’s place in the game schedule was drawn by former Spain and Manchester City player David Silva.
The next image broadcast was of Swiss Football Association president Dominique Blanc, showing him looking bemused and up toward the stage.
The draw host, UEFA director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti, said the noise had stopped in his commentary before continuing to allocate the last five places for lower-ranked teams in the 24-nation tournament lineup.
However, the sound resumed sporadically until the draw was completed.
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