UEFA SAYS ‘SORRY’ TO REDS FANS

UEFA have finally issued an apology for the horrifying events surrounding the Champions League final in Paris.

And European football’s governing body has indicated they will make strenuous moves to ensure the harrowing scenes witnessed by millions around the world are never repeated.

A statement referenced the terrifying carnage at the Stade de France last Saturday as police handed out brutal treatment to Liverpool and Real Madrid fans. Supporters were subjected to illegal kettling when many thousands were crammed into claustrophobic spaces in underpasses at both ends of the stadium, with Reds fans crushed as police parked vans across the road to prevent any access.

Then they were met with closed gates and police determined to indiscriminately tear gas fans with legitimate tickets waiting to enter, along with baton charges. Journalists filming the violent acts were also targeted.

UEFA had initially blamed ‘late arriving fans’, then repeated false claims by French Minister Gerald Darmanin (above) that “40,000 counterfeit tickets” were in use for a “fraud on an industrial scale”.

But official figures produced later in the week showed there were only 2,500 fake tickets in circulation for a crowd of almost 80,000 people. After the game, gangs of locals prowled the stadium, attacking both sets of supporters.

UEFA apologised to the thousands of fans who were crushed, tear-gassed and injured by the policing of the game and for the shambolic organisation.

In a statement, UEFA said: “We wish to sincerely apologise to all spectators who had to experience or witness frightening and distressing events in the build-up to the Champions League final, on a night which should have been a celebration of European club football.

“No football fan should be put in that situation and it must not happen again.”

And French President Emmanuel Macron said ticket holders who were blocked from entering the Champions League final by security personnel must be reimbursed “as fast as possible”.

Both Liverpool and Real Madrid had called for an independent inquiry. And UEFA suggested they had commissioned an ‘independent report’ earlier this week.

The chief of staff of French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, who also along with Darmanin incorrectly accused

Liverpool fans, has resigned.