A disability access charity said disabled supporters continue to be "an afterthought" for UEFA.
Level Playing Field said the voice of disabled football fans at the Champions League final in Paris on May 28 is not represented on the review panel. The panel, announced by the governing body last week, is in place to investigate fan experience during the disastrous match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid.
UEFA and French authorities came under heavy criticism regarding the conduct of French police before and after the match. Innocent fans were tear gassed trying to get into the stadium and gangs of locals attacked and robbed supporters in Saint Denis.
READ MORE: Paris chief of police to be removed from job following Champions League disaster
In a public statement Level Playing Field (LPF) raised concerns that the review does not adequately cover questions relevant to disabled supporters. LPF previously highlighted the misuse of wheelchair user spaces at Stade de France to the benefit of corporate guests.
Ted Morris, chairman of Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, previously told the ECHO about the treatment of disabled fans at the match. Mr Morris appeared before the French senate with Spirit of Shankly chair Joe Blott to highlight the "traumatic" experiences.
Mr Morris compiled a record of experiences endured by disabled fans which include: disabled children being teargassed; a wheelchair user being crowd-surfed to safety over a fence; a blind fan being separated from their carer; a disabled woman suffering a dislocated shoulder; and a “grotesque” attack on a disabled woman as she left the stadium.
LPF said it wrote to UEFA on June 1 raising concerns regarding the mistreatment of disabled fans who were "petrified and feared for their own wellbeing and safety whilst being corralled in a dangerous manner". LPF claimed UEFA did not respond to the initial concerns and has now ignored the experiences of disabled fans with the review panel.
LPF's statement said: "On Friday, 1 July 2022, UEFA and Dr (Tiago Brandao) Rodrigues announced his panel and list of experts that he and the panel will be speaking to. Once again, disability seems to have been forgotten or, at worst, disregarded. Once again, UEFA proudly showcased their #EqualGame campaign – sadly we feel this should have been qualified with the term 'unless you are a disabled fan'.
"Disabled sports fans are sick and tired with their matchday experience being an afterthought and grossly under prioritised. Watching football is a national past time for all, and there have to be clear obligations in place to prevent discrimination and to promote inclusion. Regrettably, LPF is aware of disability discrimination taking place with frequency just as it did at the Champions League final.
"Level Playing Field is demanding real change; it is time for accountability and positive action and governments, governing bodies, clubs and other stakeholders can no longer simply pay lip services to the human rights of disabled supporters."
The Independent contacted UEFA for comment regarding LPF's statement.
UEFA said preliminary findings from the review will be published at the end of September with the final report scheduled for November.
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