A senior UEFA representative said on Tuesday he did not believe French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin’s claims about the number of fake tickets circulating amid the chaos ahead of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real. Madrid last month. After the match on May 28, Darmanin claimed that between 30,000 and 40,000 fake tickets in the hands of Liverpool fans were the cause of the problem as police sent thousands of fans into overcrowd tunnels around the pitch. movement, leading to more delays in the match. more than 30 minutes.
Martin Kallen, general manager of UEFA Events, who is in charge of the agency’s trade events, said during a hearing in the French Senate, which is investigating the cases, the figure was much lower.
“We know there were about 2,600 tickets brought to the turnstile that were fake,” Kellen said.
“But a lot of tickets don’t get into the turnstile… How many tickets are left? We don’t know, can’t really verify.
“We don’t believe that is the number mentioned in France, more or less 30,000 to 40,000,” he added.
Keller said other factors had caused problems at the Stade de France, in the mayhem that saw French police use tear gas at close range, even against children.
“It’s not just the paper tickets that created chaos at the gate,” he said.
“The reasons were many: a traffic strike, poor response from management, the police, there were criminals and an extremely crowded line in front of the stadium without tickets or fake tickets,” he added.
Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters will give evidence to the Senate later in the day.
UEFA has launched its own investigation, under the supervision of a former Portuguese education and sports minister, Mr Kellen said he would reach a conclusion in September.
“We think the investigation will take at least two to three months,” Kallen said.
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“Since it is starting now, we can talk in September (about the results),” he added.
Real Madrid won the final 1-0 to become the 14th European champion.
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