Top 10: Pitch Invasions by Jimmy Jump
Jimmy Jump is a prankster best known for invading or trying to sabotage various high profile sporting events. Not quite a streaker (Jimmy is usually fully-clothed) and not quite a performance artist, Jimmy is a polarizing figure in world sports. Though he is often fined and jailed for his antics, Jump’s pranks continue to this day.
A fan of all things FC Barcelona, the Spaniard has a flair for the political, most recently gracing the 2010 FIFA World Cup wearing a t-shirt that read “Jimmy Jump Against Racism”. Another Jimmy Jump sabotage with a positive message came during the 2008 UEFA Europe semi-finals, when Jimmy carried a Tibetan flag and wore a t-shirt with a pro-Tibet slogan.
Here are the top ten Jimmy Jump sport sabotage moments. Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Jimmy is a master of invading sporting events.
1. UEFA Euro 2004
The first in a long string of high profile sports invasions for Jimmy, July 4, 2004 found Jimmy jumping his way onto the pitch during a match between Greece and Portugal. Jimmy was attempting to shame Portugal’s captain Luis Figo for “abandoning” FC Barcelona, his favorite team. His attempt at hitting Figo with a Barcelona team flag missed the mark, setting the stage for many of Jimmy’s inept attempts at sabotage.
2. FIFA World Cup 2010
Before the start of the 2010 World Cup championship game between Spain and the Netherlands, Jimmy Jump attempted to place a hat on the Cup itself, but was tackled by nearly a dozen guards before he was able to get his hands anywhere near his prize.
3. 2009 French Open Men’s Singles final match (Roger Federer)
This photo shows Jimmy attempting to cover eventual French Open champion Roger Federer’s head in an unidentified flag. Jimmy was eventually tackled by guards after tripping in an attempt to scale the net to freedom.
4. 2010 Eurovision Song Contest
Wearing a shit emblazoned with the name of his website, Jimmy Jump made his way onstage during the Spanish presentation at Eurovision in 2010. His attempt at sabotage was unsuccessful this time, as Spain was allowed a “re-do” at the end of the contest.
5. 2007 Rugby World Cup final
The beginning of the second half of championship play between England and South Africa was interrupted by Jimmy, though he was subdued before it was clear what he was attempting to do that day in France.
6. UEFA Euro 2008 semi-final
This bit of Jimmy Jump sabotage is noteworthy because of its political aspirations. Wearing a shirt that says “Tibet is Not China”, Jimmy ran onto the pitch at the end of the match between Germany and Turkey.
7. 2007 UEFA Champions League final
As Milan and Liverpool squared off in 2007, Jimmy Jump attempted to take advantage of the huge television audience by invading the field carrying an unidentified flag. Unfortunately for him, he received no airtime and was cut from the broadcast.
8. 2006 UEFA Champions League
This performance by Jimmy (which predicted the transfer of Thierry Henry to FC Barcelona) would eventually cost him a £60,000 fine.
9. 2004 Spanish Grand Prix
A rare appearance at a racing event found Jimmy Jump running right through the starting line, proving that Jimmy is brave, if not a little foolhardy.
10. Real Madrid v Barcelona
On November 19th, 2005, Jimmy invaded the pitch during this La Liga match wearing a shirt that read (in Spanish) Jump Jump Jimmy Jump. As usual, he was tackled before endangering any players or fans.
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