The conclusions of an independent investigation also target the poor reaction of the French security forces, arguing that the police’s use of tear gas and pepper spray had “no place in a football party”.
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UEFA, organizer of the 2022 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, wears the “primary responsibility” serious incidents “which almost led to disaster” last May at the Stade de France. This is the conclusion of a group of experts following an independent investigation commissioned by the European body, which AFP was able to consult on Monday, February 13.
“The group concluded that UEFA, as the owner of the event, bears primary responsibility for the failures” the evening of May 28, can we read in this long document. “The other stakeholders made shortcomings that contributed [aux incidents] but UEFA were in charge.”
“Even if it was reasonable to delegate security issues to others, primarily the FFF, and to refer to (…) the police headquarters for issues of maintaining order, it is not does not follow that UEFA is absolved of its responsibility, continue the experts. UEFA played a central role in the organization of the event and they should have watched, supervised and contributed to the security measures”they argue.
The use of tear gas “had no place”
Endless waiting, supporters and families sprayed with tear gas or victims of theft… Scenes of chaos had taken place on the sidelines of this Champions League final in Saint-Denis, causing a lively controversy in France and England. The report also points to the poor reaction of the French security forces, arguing that the police’s use of tear gas and pepper spray had “no place at a football party”.
The experts in this report said they were “stunned” that the policing pattern of the match may have been influenced by the image of Liverpool supporters as hooligans, a “unexplainable misconception”.
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, had initially incriminated the British supporters with the many falsified tickets, according to him. The Paris police chief, Didier Lallement (who has since left his post), later admitted to having “maybe deceived” on their number, recognizing a “failure”.
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