UEFA has apologised to Liverpool and Real Madrid followers for the chaos on the Champions League ultimate in Paris, the place many followers had been tear-gassed, assaulted and harassed whereas making an attempt to get into the stadium
UEFA has apologised to Liverpool and Real Madrid followers for the chaos on the Champions League ultimate in Paris, the place many followers had been tear-gassed, assaulted and harassed whereas making an attempt to get into the stadium
After initially blaming followers, UEFA apologised to them on Friday for the “frightening and distressing” chaos on the Champions League ultimate after Real Madrid joined Liverpool in demanding the organiser explains what went incorrect on the Stade de France.
“UEFA needs to sincerely apologise to all spectators who needed to expertise or witness scary and distressing occasions within the build-up to the UEFA Champions League ultimate” last Saturday, it said in a statement. “No football fan should be put in that situation, and it must not happen again.”
Fans, including children, were tear-gassed, assaulted and harassed while trying to get into the final. UEFA initially blamed the chaos and violence on fans arriving late, then blamed holders of fake tickets. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the tear gas was justified.
Independent overview
UEFA added on Friday it has commissioned an impartial overview to determine shortcomings and duties of all entities — the golf equipment, federations, followers, safety, stadium operator — concerned within the organisation of the ultimate.
“The review, led by Dr. Tiago Brandao Rodrigues from Portugal, aims at understanding what happened in the buildup to the final, and determining what lessons should be learned to ensure there is no repeat of the actions and events of that day,” UEFA stated. It promised to publish the complete report.
Liverpool, Real Madrid demand solutions
While Liverpool followers had been primarily affected and the membership has been gathering proof and demanding motion, Real Madrid additionally needed solutions from UEFA for the dysfunction that left its followers “abandoned and defenseless.”
“We call for answers and explanations in order to determine those responsible for leaving the fans abandoned and defenseless,” Madrid stated in a press release on Friday. “Fans who in general terms showed exemplary conduct at all times.”
Madrid, which gained the ultimate 1-0, stated the event “quickly turned into a series of unfortunate events which have caused a sense of outrage around the world.”
It mentioned images published by the media that showed supporters being “attacked, harassed, assaulted and robbed in violent fashion. These occurrences continued as they moved in their cars or busses, causing concern for their physical well-being. Certain fans even had to spend the night in hospital as a result of injuries.”
“Football has transmitted an image to the world which is far away from the values and goals which it should pursue,” Madrid stated. “Our fans and supporters deserve a response and those responsible to be held accountable in order for events like these to be eradicated from football and sport in general.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
