Champions League final: Culture minister calls for official investigation into ‘deeply concerning’ scenes outside Liverpool v Real Madrid stadium | UK News
The Culture Minister has called on UEFA to open an official investigation into the violent scenes in Paris that caused the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid to be delayed.
The size of the crowd outside the Stade de France on Saturday night appeared to overwhelm security, with many supporters waiting outside for hours, while others were not allowed in until halftime.
Liverpool Fans were subjected to violence, with tear gas and pepper spray being used repeatedly by police.
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Culture Minister Nadine Dorries said: “The footage and accounts from Liverpool fans and the media of their entry to the Stade de France last night are very disturbing.
“Thousands of ticket holders arrived in Paris at the opportune moment to cheer on their team in the biggest game of their season.
“I call on UEFA to open a formal investigation into what happened and why, with the coordination of stadium staff, French Police, Fédération Française de Football, Merseyside Police and the Club Liverpool football.
“It is in everyone’s interest to understand what happened and learn lessons from these events.”
French police and UEFA, the governing body of European football, have blamed Liverpool fans, but the club and Merseyside Police insist that is not true.
The Red Devils lost to Real Madrid 1-0 at the stadium, just north of Paris after the final game was half an hour late.
Supporters with tickets had to wait in long lines outside the stadium before French police used tear gas.
Fans spoke of officers pointing guns at them after the game and expressed their dismay at seeing older fans and children get caught up in the mayhem.
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Tear tear gas at Liverpool fans
Cabinet Secretary Brandon Lewis earlier told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday’s program that it appeared an “aggressive approach” had been used by French police against Liverpool fans and that it was “linked to”. mandarin”.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said it was “not well organised” and many of the players’ families and friends were caught up in the scene.
He told Sky Sports News about a friend he gave tickets to, coming through the club, accused of holding fake tickets.
Defender Joel Matip’s brother and pregnant sister-in-law are said to have been forced to flee.
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Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson tweeted: “Disgusted at the appalling management and brutal treatment of @LFC fans by the French police and Stade De France staff at the @ChampionsLeague final.
“I am writing to Foreign Sec @trussliz requesting answers from @UEFAcom and leaving Chairman @EmmanuelMacron to investigate.
“Shameful to blame the fans.”
Children get caught up in the scene outside the Stade de France
However, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the blame lay with those who had come from the UK.
After visiting Security Command at the stadium, he tweeted: “Thousands of British ‘fans’, without tickets or fake tickets were forced into and sometimes breached the managements.”
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said “attempts to hack and cheat by thousands of England fans complicate the work of stadium staff and police”.
UEFA also blamed England supporters, saying: “During the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at Liverpool’s end were blocked by thousands of fans who bought fake tickets that did not work in the turnstiles. “
Fans said the police used pepper spray on them as they waited in long lines
The Prefecture de Police, the Paris police force, blamed fans who arrived without tickets, saying: “Given strong pressure to enter the encirclement, these supporters delayed reaching the audience. fake tickets.”
But Merseyside Police said “the behavior of fans at the turnstile was exemplary in shocking situations”.
The force explained that, like all matches in Europe, its officers had been deployed to France “to work in an observatory and in a capacity to advise with local officers”. .
Liverpool FC said UEFA’s version of the event was “totally incorrect”.
The problems started hours before the game, when tens of thousands of Liverpool fans were directed to stand under a bridge near the stadium, where they waited for hours.
