Investigation by the French Senate into the chaos of the crowds at this year’s Champions League final in Paris concluded that it was the regulators who were responsible, not the supporters, undermining the allegations of the police and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
a fact-Finding mission Led by two senators was set up After Liverpool – Real Madrid game on May 28 marred by a late kick-offcrushes, tear gas and street crime.
The investigation concluded that problems they were caused by “chain of Imbalances’ including deficiency of Preparation by French and European authorities football body UEFA, as well as poorly implemented security arrangements.
“These were imbalances on every level, not only during implementation but also during preparations in Presented by the Co-Chair of The investigation, Laurent Lafont, told reporters at a news conference.
The final The report contradicts repeated statements by Darmanin that Liverpool fans They were mostly responsible with The minister claiming that up to 40000 of Travel to the stadium too with No tickets or with of them are fake.
“The first data (by minister) don’t match up with realityFrançois-Noel Buffett, Co-President of Investigation, told reporters.
“It wasn’t because there were Liverpool fans who I travelled with they team That things went badly, ‘Lavon addedindicating that thousands of fans No tickets are welcome in Fan Zones set up in The French capital.
those with Difficulty traveling to the stadium because of Transport strike, then found themselves in Jams and crushes at entrance gates.
Face with The build-up of Frustrating crowds Around the Stade de France, police used tear gas and pepper spray move they backaffect many, children Beside disabled fans in wheelchairs;
After the game the supporters were captured on By local gangs as they are made they way For local transport links, with Reported multiple pickpockets, burglaries and threats as it seemed to the police on.
televised events she was national Embarrassment is believed to have affected the parliamentary elections in June when President Emmanuel Macron lost his majority.
that they caused Alarm bells just a year From start of Rugby World Cup to be held in France, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
‘Fail’
Darmanin survived newly government Reshuffle has been given additional responsibility as the Interior minister Despite his claims that caused very angry in Liverpool and tensions with British government.
Liverpool football club Especially sensitive to scapegoating of that it fans After they were falsely blamed for Hillsborough stadium disaster in Sheffield in 1989.
supporters group spirit of Shankly thanked the Senate on Wednesday for Testimonials welcome of fans And thus absolve them of any responsibility,” but he said that was not enough.
“we want a full An apology from the French government with a complete to retreat of Alleged lies on on their behalf on And since May 28, 2022, we will continue to push for that.” in a permit.
Darmanin, a law and order hardliner, issued it first A partial apology at the end of June, he told RTL radio: “Should things have been better managed at the Stade de France (the stadium)? The answer is yes. Am I partial? responsible? The answer is yes.”
The head of The Paris police, Didier Lalmint, admitted during a Senate hearing on June 9 that security operations were ‘failure’ and offered his excuses to fans who They couldn’t attend game.
But he defended use of tear gas move fans back From the stadium saying “There is no other way. “
The Senate Committee has not recommended any sanctions against the police or the durmen.
“The role of A committee like not for us call for Resignation of someone in The government buffet explained.
Instead, the final Report made a series of Recommendations to the authorities to improve security arrangements at major sports events.
France will host the Rugby World Cup next year And the Olympics in 2024.
The Senate report recommended that the police withdraw up clearer instructions for The use of Tear gas and other methods of crowd control such as greater use of Officers and hoses.
The authorities have also Under pressure to explain the reason for the security camera No footage of the stadium was saved, removing a potential vital source of information for investigators.
“Pictures will always be missing,” Buffett said. “This is our biggest regret.”
European football body UEFA is also A parallel investigation into the disaster that came after France offered to host game When I was stripped from Russia over Moscow invasion of Ukraine.
