Bosnia And Herzegovina
Czech Republic
Hungary
Indonesia
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

Lineker issues strong response as Liverpool fans absolved of Paris final blame

mirror.co.uk, 13 July 2022, 14:38
A French inquiry has exonerated Liverpool supporters of any blame following the chaotic scenes at the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris two months ago Gary Lineker was at the Champions League final in Paris

Gary Lineker has praised Liverpool fans for their "remarkable patience" after a report into the chaos at May's Champions League final exonerated supporters of any blame.

Reds fans were initially blamed by the French government for the scandal in Paris, a claim that was immediately dismissed. The game, which finished 1-0 to Real Madrid, became a living nightmare for both sets of supporters after police used tear gas and pepper spray.

Thousands of Liverpool fans were forced to enter the Stade de France via a dangerous bottle-neck route and wait in queues for hours. Hundreds of supporters suffered injuries and the game was delayed by more than 30 minutes. Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

The French government alleged 'industrial scale ticket fraud' was responsible for Liverpool fans turning up en masse, not poor policing. Sport minister Amelie Oudea-Caster even claimed up to 40,000 counterfeit tickets were in circulation. These claims were unfounded and the authorities were later forced to backtrack and apologise to supporters.

Liverpool were supported by British politicians and Real Madrid. MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne described the chaos as "disgraceful" and "one of the worst experiences in my life". He also claimed "horrendous security and organisation" put "lives at risk".

A French inquiry has now concluded the fiasco was caused by a catalogue of administrative errors and failings. Former Everton striker and current Match of the Day presenter Lineker has praised Liverpool fans for their response to the unfounded allegations.

Do you think the French interior minister should resign? Let us know in the comments below!

"As a witness to events, it's true that LFC fans were completely blameless," tweeted Lineker. "In fact, they deserve enormous credit for showing remarkable patience and good behaviour under the most trying of circumstances."

The inquiry into the scandal concluded: "The systems put in place had major shortcomings with regard to the intelligence (absence of hooligans but presence of delinquents in large numbers), the transport routes for supporters (removal of a drop-off route at the surroundings of the stadium) and insufficient communication.

"It is not only in the execution that problems arose. Upstream, the crisis scenarios were insufficiently worked on and did not demonstrate the necessary flexibility in the face of so many unanticipated events."

UEFA are yet to comment on the findings and have commissioned their own inquiry, which is still ongoing. A group of Liverpool supporters have called for France's interior minister Gerald Darmanin, who was heavily critical of fans, to resign following the report.

"From the beginning, UEFA, the French police, but in particular the French Minister of the Interior, Mr Gerald Darmanin, sought to blame the Liverpool fans, making slanderous and baseless accusations about their behaviour," said Ted Morris, the head of Liverpool's Disabled Supporters Association.

"They should all feel a deep sense of shame today, and as the LDSA previously requested, Mr Darmanin should do the decent and honourable thing and resign."

Show more

Top News

13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bradford City can maintain their third place standing in League Two with a victory on Saturday at Rodney Parade versus Newport County. 13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Como president Mirwan Suwarso has confirmed the Italian club attempted to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United in the winter transfer window. 13 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Real Madrid-linked defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson will reportedly miss around six weeks of action due to a hamstring injury. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reece James is set to return to the lineup for Chelsea's Premier League away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Virgil van Dijk couldn't resist making a dig at Everton players and fans after Liverpool were denied Merseyside's bragging rights at the death. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic's return to the Champions League knockout rounds ended in a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic's return to the Champions League knockout rounds ended in a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. 12 February 2025 talksport.com The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park ended crazily with Arne Slot, Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure all getting sent off after the final whistle. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool wing wizard Mohamed Salah both broke a Premier League record and extended one of his existing ones in the Reds' pulsating 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Wednesday night, with James Tarkowski scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Harry Kane has scored his first goal against a Scottish side, firing in for Bayern Munich in their Champions League knockout play-off first leg at Celtic. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Chelsea have been dealt another major injury blow with first choice striker Nicolas Jackson ruled out until April, talkSPORT understands. 12 February 2025 talksport.com West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has planted himself in the history books, and this time, it's in the Queen Vic rather than the London Stadium. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Mohamed Salah made Premier League history with his role in Liverpool's equaliser at Everton. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reece James and Nicolas Jackson could start Chelsea's Premier League away meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk is a major doubt for Friday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at the Amex Stadium. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Boavista have announced that they have strengthened their squad with the addition of nine players. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six days after they locked horns in the FA Cup, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea will recommence battle when they meet in Friday's Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Everton and Liverpool will both be out for more than just bragging rights in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park tonight. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly had scouts at Sporting Lisbon's league contest with Porto last week to watch Geovany Quenda following claims that the Red Devils have a deal in place to sign the youngster this summer. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig are reportedly open to letting Benjamin Sesko leave during this summer's transfer window, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be among the clubs interested in his services. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola reportedly views Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz as his 'dream replacement' for Kevin De Bruyne, but it will take an astronomical fee to secure his services. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Kai Havertz being ruled out for the rest of the season has created huge problems for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that he wants Mohamed Salah at the club next season. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly 'serious contenders' to sign Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane this summer. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified Hertha Berlin youngster Ibrahim Maza as a potential summer transfer target. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could reportedly battle the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool for the signature of RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba during this summer's transfer window. 12 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh off yet another controversy, Turkish Super Lig's bottom side Adana Demirspor will host Antalyaspor at the New Adana Stadium on Friday to kick off round 24. 12 February 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of scoring 1000 career goals has been given a big boost.
Something went wrong! Don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help.