Liverpool supporters union, Spirit of Shankly, say the chaos outside the Stade de France on Saturday night “rests fairly and squarely on UEFA” and slammed European football’s governing body for their “shambolic mismanagement” of the Champions League final.
In a strong statement released on Sunday, the Reds’ fan group have hit out at UEFA after hundreds of supporters were subjected to horrendous treatment by French riot police as they tried to access the stadium for the showdown with Real Madrid.
Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game as Carlo Ancelotti’s side condemned Liverpool to disappointment in their 63rd match of an otherwise memorable season, but the football itself was of little relevance to Reds fans on the night.
READ MORE: Liverpool defeated by destiny as Champions League final becomes sideshow to UEFA disgrace
Dozens of reports filled in on the night of French police indiscriminately using pepper spray and tear gas as fans were funnelled outside closed gates for hours before the match.
Kick-off was delayed by 36 minutes in the French capital with the authorities blaming it on the 'late arrival of fans' in a statement on the big screen inside the ground. That explanation has angered Liverpool, it is understood, and now SOS have released their own strongly-worded reply.
Spirit of Shankly say: “Once again Liverpool supporters, and indeed we are hearing, Real Madrid supporters, have felt the ridiculous and shambolic disorganisation and mismanagement of a major final by UEFA.
"Their comments may have changed before the match, but what remained consistent was their narrative that fans were to blame.
"Fans were not late. Many began arriving more than two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled kick-off time. They had legitimate tickets but failed to gain entry. The Merseyside Police representative in Paris made it clear : 'I can only describe it as the worst European match I've ever worked or experienced. I thought the behaviour of the fans at the turnstiles was exemplary in shocking circumstances. You were not late 100%'.
"The failure of this rests fairly and squarely on UEFA, the French authorities and French police.
"The consequence of such incompetence was the not unusual heavy-handed response from the police and their indiscriminate use of tear gas and pepper spray.
"The French authorities and police also failed to control gangs of local youths before and after the match. Innocent fans were left distraught after they were assaulted, bags pick pocketed and match tickets stolen.
"The safety and well-being of our fans is paramount and in the weeks leading up to the game, Spirit of Shankly worked closely with Liverpool FC, Football Supporters Europe and Merseyside Police to ensure all that could be done would be done to secure this.
"It was not. And that collective work was ignored by UEFA and the relevant French authorities.
"We will now work with those same organisations to gather evidence of all affected by the events in Paris. It is incumbent on UEFA, the French authorities and police to take responsibility. They need to send representatives to Liverpool to meet with LFC and SOS. Lessons need to be learned so that this never happens again."
