Firms taking legal action against UEFA said it's "beyond comprehension" that fans have taken their own lives following the disastrous Champions League final.
Binghams Solicitors and Pogust Goodhead are taking legal action against UEFA on behalf of Liverpool FC fans caught in the events outside the Stade de France. Thousands of Liverpool supporters were treated dangerously in the surrounding areas of France's national stadium before and after the match on May 28.
Supporters, including children and those with disabilities, were forced into cramped and dangerous spaces before the game as turnstiles remained closed, before being indiscriminately sprayed with tear gas and pepper spray by French police. Many were beaten and robbed by gangs of local thugs after the match.
READ MORE: Two Hillsborough survivors have taken their lives since Paris Champions League Final
Liverpool FC fans were blamed by French authorities and only exonerated after a Senate review. UEFA's handling of the match and its actions since have also been widely criticised - and a recent Guardian investigation found a message displayed blaming supporters for the delay had been "prepared a considerable time before the day of the match".
At the Hillsborough Law Now event on Monday, September 26 at the Labour Conference, Peter Scarfe from Hillsborough Survivors Support said two people had taken their own lives following the Paris final. Mr Scarfe added the support group has also had to put people through therapy since the traumatic events.
Mr Scarfe said the events at the Stade de France had led to "retriggers" among some Hillsborough survivors. He said: "This year alone, we’ve had three suicides. That’s three too many. One was just before the anniversary because he didn’t want to face another anniversary, two of them were retriggers from Stade de France."
He continued: "We’ve had to put people through therapy from the Stade de France, we led it and the LFC Foundation funded it, which is fantastic because we don’t have that kind of money to keep paying for more and more people, from other preventable tragedies. We shouldn’t be doing this, it shouldn’t be happening."
Binghams and Pogust Goodhead both announced earlier this year that solicitors would be working with LFC fans to take legal action against UEFA. Responding to Mr Scarfe's comments, a spokesperson for the law firms today told the ECHO: "There is very little that can be said at hearing news such as this.
"It is simply beyond comprehension for fans to have been at both games over 30 years apart and to have witnessed similar scenes, demonstrating how little has changed. Our thoughts remain with those affected both by events in Paris, and this awful news we are hearing today. It is imperative that we hold those responsible to account and that is what we are aiming to achieve.”
Several political figures including West Derby MP Ian Byrne, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram appeared at the Labour Party Conference fringe event advocating for Hillsborough Law.
And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also began his keynote speech by committing to a Hillsborough Law. The ECHO campaigned for the new law - also known as the Public Authorities (Accountability) bill, which will help bereaved families and aims to prevent further injustices where there is state involvement. Sir Keir said introducing the law would be one of his first acts if he was elected as Prime Minister.
The Leader of the Opposition said: "For too long his city has been let down. So, when Labour wins the next election, one of my first acts as Prime Minister will be to put the Hillsborough Law on the statute book. I know how much this matters. I’ve spent a lifetime helping those who have been failed by the system. I promise you we will get this city the justice it deserves."
An independent review into UEFA's handling of the events is currently ongoing. A report will be published in November.
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
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