MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 10:12:36| >> :60:1470:1470:

UEFA blamed, Liverpool fans cleared over Champions League final chaos

Liverpool fans cleared over Champions League final chaos
© Reuters
An independent report into the treatment of Liverpool fans at the 2022 Champions League final blames UEFA for the chaotic scenes.

An independent review into the treatment of Liverpool fans outside the 2022 Champions League final has said that "primary responsibility" lies with UEFA.

Liverpool supporters were penned in and tear-gassed prior to the 2021-22 final, which took place at the Stade de France in Paris.

The final between the Reds and Real Madrid, which was won 1-0 by the Spanish side, was delayed by 37 minutes as operational issues outside the stadium created access problems for fans.

UEFA and French authorities initially blamed ticketless Liverpool fans for the scenes outside the ground.

However, an independent report, which was commissioned by UEFA, claimed that there was "no evidence" to back the "reprehensible claims" that ticketless supporters had led to the events.

Liverpool players look dejected after losing the Champions League final on May 28, 2022© Reuters

Instead, the report states that failings by European football's governing body and a lack of venue assessment by French authorities were responsible for the scenes outside the Stade de France.

The report reads: "The panel has concluded that Uefa, as event owner, bears primary responsibility for failures which almost led to disaster.

"All the stakeholders interviewed by the panel have agreed that this situation was a near-miss: a term used when an event almost turns into a mass fatality catastrophe."

French police have also been criticised for their handling of the event, and the excessive use of tear gas and pepper spray was found to be one of eight key factors that resulted in the chaotic scenes.

Suppoters and riot police pictured outside the Stade de France before the Champions League final on May 28, 2022© Reuters

Among the other factors were large numbers of Liverpool fans who were being directed to the Stade de France Saint-Denis train station, as well as poor planning of the route used between the train station and the stadium.

There were also poor ticketing systems in place and a failure by police to prevent large groups of locals from entering the stadium without tickets.

The planning period for the final was shorter than usual due to the change of venues after the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg was stripped of its right to host the match following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UEFA have stated that "a special refund scheme for fans" will be announced in due course, while they have again apologised to Liverpool for the events that took place.

ID:506655:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3930:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Takumi Minamino in action for Liverpool on January 23, 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's Liverpool transfer talk: Minamino, Neuhaus, Mbappe
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!