Liverpool fans are reportedly launching legal action against UEFA over the chaos at the Champions League final in Paris.
Supporters are set to lodge a group legal claim worth up to £5m and more than 1,200 LFC fans have already asked to join. The action is expected to be submitted to court within weeks, reports the Mirror.
It is also reported 1,000 more Red fans are expected to join. Claimants include fans who suffered injuries, including stabbings, in attacks by local gangs before and after the match at the Stade de France in Paris in May. It is also includes those tear-gassed by police.
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Other claimants include supporters crushed because of police action, as well as victims of sexual assault and robbery in the chaos as supporters with tickets were locked out of the game which Real Madrid won 1-0. Gerard Long, managing director of Liverpool-based law firm Binghams Solicitors leading the case, said: “There were 20,000 Liverpool tickets sold. We’re hoping to get 5,000 claimants, but it could be around the 2,000 to 3,000 mark.
“I think we’re looking at between £1,000 and £1,500 a client.” Mr Long’s firm is working on a no-win no-fee basis alongside London legal firm Pogust Goodhead which is experienced in group litigation. It has acted for victims of the dieselgate scandal, British Airways and Easyjet data breaches and for Uber drivers claiming compensation.
Mr Long claims the Euro final fracas was an example of serious wrongdoing by officials. He said: “I think people don’t realise how bad it was. Police didn’t have it under control.
“People had heart attacks, people were stabbed and beaten. Fans were robbed leaving the ground and crushed. Women were sexually assaulted. It was crazy.”
Mr Long believes the case could be resolved in 18 months. UEFA, which did not comment, is investigating, but has already apologised. Paris police boss Didier Lallement has admitted “failures”.
Reds fans faced chaos, danger and distress both before and after the May 28 final at the Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area of the French capital. 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. After the match, many were beaten and robbed by local gangs.
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