Liverpool fans group demands French government to apologize
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One of the leading Liverpool fans groups demanded apologies from the soccer club after accusations from French officials that loads of its fans tried to enter the champions league finals without tickets.
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The events in Paris brought back memories of the Hillsborough tragedy, in which 97 spectators died in a crush before their 1989 FA Cup semifinal match
After a French Senate investigation determined that organizational shortcomings were to blame for the chaos surrounding the Champions League final, a prominent group of Liverpool fans demanded a "full apology from the French Government."
When fans attempted to enter the stadium via bottlenecks, French police shot tear gas at them, causing the match to be postponed until May 28.
Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, accused up to 40,000 Liverpool supporters of entering the stadium without valid tickets or with fake ones.
The flaws, however, were discovered to be the result of a "series of dysfunctions," including a lack of preparation by French authorities and improperly carried out security preparations, by a fact-finding expedition led by two senators.
The events in Paris brought back memories of the Hillsborough tragedy, in which 97 spectators died in a crush before their 1989 FA Cup semifinal match.
Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan had reacted with "disbelief" at French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin's insistence that the chaotic scenes at Saturday's Champions League final in Paris were caused by supporters of the English club.
The Spirit of Shankly, a group of Liverpool supporters, commended the French Senate for its conclusions but stated that it will keep pushing for a full government apology and legislative investigation.
"There remains the issue of lies being persistently repeated," Spirit of Shankly said in a statement, adding, "We want a full apology from the French Government with a complete retraction of the lies purported on their behalf on and since 28 May 2022, and will continue to lobby to achieve it."
"We also believe only a full French Parliamentary inquiry, with witnesses testifying under oath, will bring truth and justice and will continue to lobby to achieve it."
Keir Starmer, the head of the opposition Labour party in Britain, backed the demand for an apology to the fans.
"Every football supporter should be safe when they go to games," Starmer said. He added: "I’m glad the French Senate report clearly removes any question of blame on Liverpool supporters. But the French Government must also accept these findings and offer a full apology”, Starmer said.
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