Tear gas use, ticket fraud at Champions League final prompt UEFA apology
UEFA has issued an apology to fans who were affected by the events surrounding the Champions League final after ticket fraud and crowd trouble marred the showpiece event at the Stade de France in Paris.
The match was delayed by more than 30 minutes after officers forcefully held back people trying to enter the Stade de France while riot police had also sprayed tear gas on fans, including women and children.
“UEFA wishes to sincerely apologize to all spectators who had to experience or witness frightening and distressing events in the buildup to the UEFA Champions League final ... on a night which should have been a celebration of European club football,” it said in a statement on Friday.
“No football fan should be put in that situation and it must not happen again.”
Much of the blame was placed on Liverpool fans by France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, but he acknowledged police were caught off-guard by several hundred local “delinquents” who turned up to cause trouble.
Europe's soccer governing body had commissioned an independent report earlier this week.
On Friday they outlined its scope as they look to establish a timeline of events, examine operational plans, assess roles and responsibilities and the response to events inside and outside the stadium.
“The review will engage with UEFA and all relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, fan groups … the finalist clubs themselves, general spectators, the French Football Federation, the police and other public national and local authorities, and the stadium operator,” it added.
Real Madrid had demanded answers from organizers over measures taken to protect supporters while Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan had reiterated a call for an investigation, saying they had written to UEFA and raised specific questions.
Meanwhile, ticket holders who were blocked from entering by security personnel must be reimbursed “as fast as possible,” French President Emmanuel Macron told local media on Friday.
“I have a thought for the families who have been pushed around, who have not been able to access the seats they had paid for. This is why I hope that we can compensate them as soon as possible,” Macron said. “I have asked the government to clarify what happened, to determine the responsibilities and to explain them in detail to our compatriots, the British and the Spanish.”
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo
has backed incoming boss Erik ten Hag to deliver trophies at the club next season, but cautioned that the new manager must be afforded time to implement changes needed to make the team a credible force.
Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions and was a rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing season for United, which failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Ten Hag will arrive in Manchester after three seasons at Ajax, where he led the Amsterdam-based side to three league titles and two Dutch Cup triumphs, and take over from interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
“I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach, but we need to give him time and things need to change — the way he wants,” Ronaldo told United in a video released by the club on Friday.
“I hope we have success of course because if you have success all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best.
“We are happy and excited, not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies.”
Speculation was rife about Ronaldo's future at United following a trophy-less campaign on his return to Old Trafford after 12 years but the 37-year-old maintained that he was content in Manchester.
“I was happy to be back in a club that really raised my career so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again,” Ronaldo said. “I was and still am very happy to be here.
“The most important thing for me is to try to win the games and try to win some championship … but I believe that Manchester will be back where they belong.
“Sometimes it takes time, but I still believe.”