UEFA says sorry to fans for Champions League final chaos

Posted June 03, 2022 7:00 am

By TALES AZZONI

A fan stands on the fence in front of the Stade de France prior the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid, in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. Police have deployed tear gas on supporters waiting in long lines to get into the Stade de France for the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid that was delayed by 37 minutes while security struggled to cope with the vast crowd and fans climbing over fences. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) The Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - After initially blaming fans, UEFA apologized to them on Friday for the 'œfrightening and distressing'ť chaos at the Champions League final after Real Madrid joined Liverpool in demanding the organizer explains what went wrong at the Stade de France.

'œUEFA wishes to sincerely apologise to all spectators who had to experience or witness frightening and distressing events in the build-up to the UEFA Champions League final" last Saturday, it said in a statement. 'œNo football fan should be put in that situation, and it must not happen again.'ť

Fans, including children, were tear-gassed, assaulted and harassed while trying to get into the final. UEFA initially blamed the chaos and violence on fans arriving late, then blamed holders of fake tickets. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the tear gas was justified.

UEFA added on Friday it has commissioned an independent review to identify shortcomings and responsibilities of all entities - the clubs, federations, fans, security, stadium operator - involved in the organisation of the final.

'œThe review, led by Dr. Tiago Brandao Rodrigues from Portugal, aims at understanding what happened in the buildup to the final, and determining what lessons should be learned to ensure there is no repeat of the actions and events of that day,'ť UEFA said. It promised to publish the full report.

While Liverpool fans were mainly affected and the club has been gathering evidence and demanding action, Real Madrid also wanted answers from UEFA for the disorder that left its fans 'œabandoned and defenseless."

'œWe call for answers and explanations in order to determine those responsible for leaving the fans abandoned and defenseless,'ť Madrid said in a statement on Friday. 'œFans who in general terms showed exemplary conduct at all times.'ť

Madrid, which won the final 1-0, said the occasion 'œquickly turned into a series of unfortunate events which have caused a sense of outrage around the world."

It mentioned images published by the media that showed supporters being 'œattacked, harassed, assaulted and robbed in violent fashion. These occurrences continued as they moved in their cars or busses, causing concern for their physical well-being. Certain fans even had to spend the night in hospital as a result of injuries."

'œFootball has transmitted an image to the world which is far away from the values and goals which it should pursue,'ť Madrid said. 'œOur fans and supporters deserve a response and those responsible to be held accountable in order for events like these to be eradicated from football and sport in general.'ť

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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Police officers guard the Stade de France prior the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid, in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) The Associated Press

Police stand guard inside the Stade de France prior to the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid, in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. Police have deployed tear gas on supporters waiting in long lines to get into the Stade de France for the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid that was delayed by 37 minutes while security struggled to cope with the vast crowd and fans climbing over fences. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) The Associated Press

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