UEFA-appointed investigators say European football’s governing body bears “primary responsibility” for the chaotic security failures at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris that cost the lives of players. player is destroyed. Liverpool And Real Madrid fans at risk.
“It is remarkable that no one was killed,” the investigative panel wrote in a 220-page document published Monday involved in a “mass death disaster” that nearly occurred at world football’s biggest club game.
“The panel concluded that UEFA, as the event owner, was primarily responsible for failures that almost led to disaster,” the report said.
A failed security operation sent tens of thousands of fans into increasingly crowded queues for hours ahead of the May 28 game at the 75,000-capacity Stade de France, a key Olympic venue. Paris Assembly 2024.
Many fans were pepper sprayed by police before the match, was delayed by nearly 40 minutes. After Madrid’s 1-0 win, dozens of locals in the impoverished neighborhood of Saint-Denis were robbed as they left the stadium.
UEFA statements during the tumultuous time and after the game blamed Liverpool fans for being late to the stadium and using fake tickets to try to get in _ both charges were falsely blamed, the report said.
UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis issued an apology to Liverpool supporters for “the experiences of many of them” and the blameless blame.
Liverpool responded with a statement released on Tuesday agreeing with the report’s findings, condemning UEFA for its handling of the final in Paris and calling on the governing body to implement “full and transparent The recommendations are made in the independent report.
Statement read: “We ask UEFA to fully enact the recommendations set forth by the Council – no matter how difficult – so that the safety of supporters is the number one priority at the heart of every football game. UEFA rock.
“We know that it is important to understand why both Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters find themselves in situations where the safety of supporters is at stake. We are determined to ensure A vigorous investigation is underway to draw lessons to ensure the safety of football supporters in Europe is never compromised again.
“Shocking false stories were circulated shortly after that night in Paris; they were completely refuted. The independent report of the French Senate published in July 2022 reveals the Liverpool supporters have been falsely and unjustly blamed for the chaotic scenes intended to divert attention from the match the real failures of the organization.
“The Independent Senate report also published 15 recommendations for improvement. To date, no action has been taken on these recommendations.
“It is shocking that more than 30 years after the Hillsborough disaster, any club and our fanbase would be subjected to such basic safety errors which have had a devastating impact on so many people. . But even more disturbing is the realization that for the families, friends and survivors of Hillsborough, Paris has only exacerbated their suffering.”
The council, appointed by UEFA seven months ago, on Monday aimed to blame the leadership of both football’s governing body and its commercial subsidiary UEFA Events, and French public authorities.
“UEFA lacks oversight when it comes to delegating matters of security and personal safety, all such matters in public spaces are entrusted to police authorities and simply do not follow the requirements.” on its own safety, security and service, is a recipe for failures,” the report said.
“Senior officials at the highest levels of UEFA allowed this to happen, although the shortcomings of its model were widely known at the senior management level.”
Longtime UEFA Events CEO Martin Kallen is often named in the report, including as a representative at security planning meetings and has been widely criticized by the board.
UEFA Executive Director of Safety & Security, Zeljko Pavlica, who was present at the match, was not identified for 220 pages.
The report said: “Based on the evidence, the panel concluded that the senior management of UEFA Events had marginalized the UEFA S&S Unit.” use “weapons” like tear gas and pepper spray.
The head of Paris police operations at the game, Didier Lallement, retired about six weeks later.
The reporting team, chaired by former Portuguese sports minister, Tiago Brandao Rodrigues, includes match security experts who have worked for UEFA and fan groups.
They criticized French state officials for “a misunderstanding of what really happened and a complacency about what needs to change.”
“This is particularly acute given the timing of the Rugby World Cup (2023) and the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the importance of the Stade de France to both events,” the report said. . ‘ announced after UEFA stripped the right to hold the match in St. Petersburg of Russia because of the military invasion of Ukraine.
The report also said that “several key stakeholders failed to accept responsibility for their own failures and were quick to blame others.”
“Institutional defenses, which put reputation and self-interest above truth and responsibility, prevent progressive change,” the report said. a blame carousel where it’s someone else’s fault.”
A law firm representing more than 600 Liverpool fans said those affected had been duly compensated.
Clare Campbell and Jill Paterson, Leigh Day’s partners, said: “Liverpool fans have been waiting eight months for answers on how and why the horrific events they experienced on the 28th. May 2022 takes place again.
“While we have not seen a full copy of the report, early indications that its conclusions echo what Leigh Day has long said, fans have been severely disappointed by UEFA.” Liverpool fans for their experience of the day and the loss, heartbreak and trauma they have gone through and continue to deal with.
The Inquiry Panel said it agreed with the view that “collective action by (Liverpool) supporters is perhaps instrumental in protecting vulnerable people and preventing what could lead to injury.” and more serious deaths.”
UEFA pledged on Monday to “separately announce a special refund program for fans.”
The next Champions League final is held in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 10.
