Liverpool fans have reacted in outrage after "bizarre" claims after French ministers addressed the senate over Saturday's Champions League Final.
Thousands of LFC fans travelled to the French capital ahead of the match against Real Madrid on Saturday, but for most, it was far from pleasant. Thousands reported being tear gassed in "disgusting behaviour by the authorities".
Today, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin caused outrage when he claimed thousands of Liverpool fans tried to jump over fences to get into the stadium and police "tried to push back thousands of individuals." However, countless accounts, images and videos showed this not to be true.
The minister said his government received a memo warning that thousands of British fans would attempt to force their way inside the Stade de France. This undoubtedly resulted in outrage from LFC fans, people across Merseyside and beyond, as they reacted to the "bizarre" claims.
Mr Darmanin, appearing before the French senate today, has again been branded a 'liar' and a 'disgrace' for his claims by supporters and journalists who were on the ground at the Stade de France on Saturday night. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera also provoked further fury when she suggested Liverpool fans provided a 'very specific risk' to the authorities.
ECHO reader Debbie Stockton said: "Yeah because walking along minding your own business is excuse enough to spray and blind someone with tear-gas!! Absolute inexcusable disgrace… the money spent to get there and follow your team and that’s how you’re treated!!" As Kathleen Pierce echoed: "Shame on them."
Mr Darmanin previously claimed that as many as 40,000 Reds fans turned up to the stadium with fake tickets or no tickets. The minister also claimed his forces were under attack at the Champions League final whereby many Liverpool fans were targeted with tear gas and pepper spray.
One ECHO reader, with the username Wise Wilf asked: "The question should be asked why did this only take place at the Liverpool end" as a second, named wudwudley wrote: "Lies, lies and more lies." Chrissy-Arth James commented: "It's time LFC & GOVERMENT & FA get tough it's well witnessed and on film who was at fault, how dear they blame Liverpool supporters men, women & children pepper sprayed & teargassed."
During the hearing, the minister claimed that there was only trouble in front of the Liverpool turnstiles and a huge number of fake tickets on the Liverpool side. He also claimed there were 30,000 people trying to get in to the ground and people "went underneath and over the top."
Liverpool fans have been taking to social media to express their outrage on Wednesday. One person said on Twitter: "He’s just said we have a “certain history of problems” We know what he means", as another replied "This is absolutely not okay."
Many were quick to brand the claims as "bizarre" and "outrageous" as fans shared their disgust online. Mr Darmanin's account is also being strongly disputed by fans and journalists who were present at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Many people have spoken of their horrifying experiences following the match on Saturday. One person was left bleeding after being attacked by violent local thugs and left unconscious in the road outside the Liverpool FC fan park in Paris. Coran Armstrong Witham was waiting for a taxi outside the fan park in Paris after the Champions League final when a van pulled up and six to eight men jumped out armed with bats and other weapons.
