The French interior minister Gerard Darmanin has finally offered an apology to Liverpool fans caught up in chaotic and dangerous scenes in Paris last month in what has been branded a 'hugely significant moment.'
The French politician has been widely criticised for both his department's handling of the Champions League Final and the lies and smears he personally spread about Liverpool fans in its aftermath. He caused particular anger when falsely claiming that around 40,000 Reds fans had turned up to the Stade de France with fake tickets.
LFC supporters were forced into dangerous crushes before the match and were attacked by police with tear gas and pepper spray. After the match many supporters were robbed and beaten by local gangs.
READ MORE: UEFA chief takes bizarre 'factory workers' swipe at Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool fixtures point made
In the immediate aftermath, Mr Darmanin and his colleague, sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra frantically sought to blame Liverpool fans for the chaos, despite countless video and picture evidence disproving this. Both ministers were then hauled before a French Senate hearing to explain their actions and statements.
That same hearing has also heard from Liverpool supporters groups, including disabled fans organisations and the fan union Spirit of Shankly, who all explained how badly they were treated by French authorities in Paris. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram was another to speak at the hearing.
Today, while speaking to French media, Mr Darmanin appears to have offered his first apology to Liverpool fans in what some are describing as a significant moment. Appearing on the RTL France channel, he said: "I apologise to everyone who suffered this mismanagement." He also admitted he had some personal responsibility to take in how badly things were organised and handled in Paris.
While Liverpool fans will be in no mood to thank a minister who has caused so much pain, the apparent apology has been heralded as a big step. In a tweet, the Spirit of Shankly fans union said: "We shouldn’t underestimate the significance of this. A week after Spirit of Shankly, Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association and Football Supporters Europe told the truth at the Senate an ‘apology’ has followed. However deflecting blame isn’t acceptable. Our basic demand remains, a fully independent investigation is essential."
Liverpool West Derby MP and Reds fan Ian Byrne, who was caught up in the Paris chaos, added: "A hugely significant moment in our collective fight for the truth to be told around the horrific events of Paris. The dam of lies and smears is broken and our demand for a full and transparent investigation grow stronger by the day."
UEFA has previously offered an apology to fans caught up in the Paris problems but Liverpool fans continue to lobby for a fully independent investigation to take place.
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