UEFA presents an independent report on the chaos of the Champions League final in Paris after Liverpool fans were trapped outside the Stade de France while French police used tear gas on them … while followers who did not enter will be compensated.
- UEFA has commissioned an independent report on the Champions League final
- French authorities blamed late fans and fake tickets before the chaos
- Liverpool fans were slow to enter the ground because police forced bottlenecks
- French agents also fired tear gas and pepper spray at the queuing fans.
- The French sports minister hopes that fans who have not entered will be compensated
By Olly Allen for Mailonline and Pa
Posted: 20:06, 30 May 2022 | Updated: 8:45 PM, May 30, 2022
UEFA has confirmed that there will be an independent and thorough review of what happened before Saturday’s Champions League final in Paris.
A statement from the European governing body said: “UEFA announced today that it has commissioned an independent report on the events surrounding the UEFA Champions League final in Paris on Saturday 28 May.
“The comprehensive review will examine the decision-making, responsibility and behavior of all entities involved in the final.”
UEFA has commissioned an independent report on the chaos of the Champions League final
The start at the Stade de France was delayed by 36 minutes as chaos reigned off the field, with thousands of Liverpool fans barred from entering.
UEFA and the French authorities blamed the delay on late arrivals and fans who had “false tickets”.
However, those who had traveled to see the Reds told a very different story: long queues formed about three hours before the start and a harsh police response.
French police fired tear gas and pepper spray at Liverpool fans outside the stadium
The chaos outside the Stade de France saw fans with tickets waiting in line.
French officials sprayed some supporters with pepper and tear gas and forced them into dangerous bottlenecks.
The review of the chaos will be carried out by Dr. Tiago Brandao Rodrigues, a member of the Portuguese parliament and a former member of the Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency Foundation. To maintain independence, it will take the report pro bono.
The UEFA statement added: “Evidence will be gathered from all relevant parties and the conclusions of the independent report will be made public once it has been completed and, once the conclusions have been received, UEFA will evaluate the next steps.”
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera expects non-entry fans to be reimbursed
Meanwhile, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera says she hopes fans who have not entered the Stade de France will be compensated.
“We have asked UEFA, which has agreed with us, to identify themselves accurately and receive immediate compensation for the frustration they have suffered,” he confirmed.
Oudea-Castera said there were 2,700 ‘non-activated’ tickets corresponding to a group of people who had bought a ticket and were ‘private’ from the party ’.