Thousands of Liverpool fans set to SUE UEFA over the injuries and trauma suffered during the chaotic Champions League final in Paris… after they were cleared of blame by independent panel
- UEFA commissioned a team to look into events at the Stade de France last May
- Officials had originally blamed supporters as the cause of the crowd problems
- Liverpool fans to take legal action after the report found UEFA were to blame
Liverpool fans will take legal action against UEFA with more 2600 set to claim compensation for their horrific ordeals at last season’s Champions League final.
An independent review into the chaos outside the Stade de France, which was published on Monday, found that UEFA had ‘primary responsibility’ with the French Police and French Football Federation also culpable for failings that ‘almost led to a disaster’.
Liverpool, who were furious that the review was leaked without them having had chance to digest it, are relieved that their supporters have been exonerated of blame and Billy Hogan, their Chief Executive, again praised their behaviour in the face of antagonism for preventing fatalities.
Hogan said Liverpool welcomed the findings of the report and the club issued a strongly worded statement in which they condemned the: ‘shocking false narratives (that) were peddled in the immediate aftermath of that night in Paris; narratives that have since been totally disproven.’
The 220-page report concludes with 21 recommendations for hosting and organising future events and Liverpool have challenged UEFA to make sure they are adhered to going forward; the demand from Anfield is that Europe’s governing body: ‘do the right thing for the safety of supporters.’
UEFA commissioned a team to look into events at the Stade de France last May
Officials had originally blamed supporters as the cause of the crowd problem
The report exonerated supporters despite UEFA and French authorities initially blaming them
Emotions, understandably, continue to run high eight months after the event, with the pain many Liverpool fans have experienced being exacerbated by the similarities to what happened at Hillsborough in 1989, with cover ups and agendas being pursued.
Fans, however, will now have the chance to pursue recompense for their experience.
UEFA is set to announce a special refund scheme for fans but three law firms are now representing claimants who suffered trauma from when French riot police used tear gas and pepper spray on them.
Pogust Goodhead and Binghams are representing more than 2,000 supporters – among them former player Jason McAteer’s wife, Lucy, and son, Harry, who had a dreadful ordeal when being mugged – in a group litigation.
Another firm, Leigh Day, said it would be sending a letter of claim to UEFA on behalf of more than 600 fans whom it is representing within the next two weeks.
Spirit of Shankly, a leading Liverpool fans group, said: ‘The failures of UEFA, the French Police and authorities were to blame. The shame – beginning with the stadium billboard announcing kick-off was delayed due to fans arriving late – is on them.’
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