France's sports minister said on Monday that Liverpool fans without valid tickets were responsible for initial crowd control problems at the Champions League final, with problem exacerbated later by local youths trying to force their way in to the game.
Some French far-right politicians, such as Eric Zemmour, said the crowd trouble at Saturday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was caused principally by local youths from the nearby Saint-Denis Paris suburb.
"What we really have to bear in mind is that what happened, first of all, was this mass gathering of the British supporters of the Liverpool club, without tickets, or with fake tickets," French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said.
"When there are that many people by the entrance to the stadium, there will be people trying to force their way in through the doors of the Stade de France, and a certain number of youths from the nearby area who were present tried to get in by mixing in with the crowd," she told French radio RTL.
The match kicked off with a 35-minute delay after police tried to hold back people attempting to force their way into the stadium without tickets, while some ticket holders complained they were not let in.
Television footage showed images of young men, who did not appear to be wearing the red Liverpool jerseys, jumping the gates of the stadium and running away. Other people outside, including children, were tear-gassed by riot police.
Chris Philp, Britain's minister for technology, said he was shocked by the images.
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Thousands of Liverpool supporters in a fan zone in Paris, ahead of the Champions League Final at the Stade de France against Real Madrid. PA -
Sir Kenny Dalglish greets Liverpool supporters in a fan zone in Paris. PA -
Liverpool supporters in a fan zone in Paris, ahead of the Champions League final at the Stade de France. PA -
Liverpool supporters in a fan zone in Paris. PA -
Liverpool supporters in a fan zone in Paris. PA -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris, ahead of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. PA -
A Liverpool fan wears a mask of manager Jurgen Klopp in front of the Eiffel Tower. Reuters -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris. PA -
A Liverpool fan, wearing a red beret. Getty -
A Liverpool fan gets on the metro ahead of the Champions League Final at the Stade de France, Paris. PA -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
A group of Liverpool fans pose for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower. Getty -
A group of Real Madrid fans pose for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower. Getty -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
A Real Madrid fan cycles through Paris prior to the Champions League final. Getty -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris. PA -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris. PA -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris. PA -
Liverpool fans in Place de la Nation, Paris. PA -
A young Liverpool fan, wearing a Kenny Dalglish shirt, takes in the pre-match atmosphere. Getty -
Real Madrid fans hold up a banner at the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris. PA -
A Liverpool fan poses for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower. Getty -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
Real Madrid fans gather in a fan zone at the Paris City Hall. EPA -
Liverpool's supporters gather in a fan zone at the Paris City Hall. EPA -
Real Madrid's fans cheer for their team in Paris. EPA -
Liverpool and Real Madrid's fans play football near the Eiffel Tower. EPA -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
A Liverpool fan poses with the Champions League trophy at the Trophy Experience held at the Hotel de Ville. PA -
Liverpool fans gather at the Hotel de Ville. PA -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. PA -
Liverpool fans in Paris ahead of the Champions League final at the Stade de France. PA -
Fans gather in Paris for Liverpool v Real Madrid. Reuters -
A Liverpool fan wears a Jurgen Klopp mask in Paris. Reuters -
A Liverpool fan is pictured in front of the Eiffel Tower. Reuters -
Liverpool fans outside the Gare du Nord. PA
"I was horrified to see those pictures of fans including children, disabled fans, being pepper-sprayed by French police," he added. "And from the pictures I saw there was no obvious justification for that kind of behaviour."
The chaotic scenes at the French national stadium were branded a national embarrassment, with France due to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan said the treatment of Liverpool fans was "unacceptable" and the club wanted a "transparent investigation" by governing body Uefa.
Britain's minister for sport, Nadine Dorries, also urged Uefa to launch an investigation, while Labour MP Ian Byrne said the governing body must learn lessons to avoid a repeat of "the absolute debacle".
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Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 29, 2022. Reuters -
Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final. Getty -
Luka Modric kisses the trophy. Getty -
Marcelo lifts the trophy for Real Madrid. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring the only goal of the Champions League final against Liverpool. AP -
Real Madrid players celebrate after their victory in Paris. Getty -
Dejected Liverpool player Fabinho after the match. AP -
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates after the match. Getty -
Dejected Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid players celebrate after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Champions League. Reuters -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves from Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah in the second half. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores the opening goal. PA -
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid late in the first half but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. PA -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah fires a shot past Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. AFP -
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is shown a yellow card. AP -
A first-half shot from Liverpool's Sadio Mane beats Real keeper Thibaut Courtois but hits the post. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with teammates after scoring. PA -
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane sees his shot hit the post. Getty -
Vinicius Junior scores for Real Madrid. EPA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois catches a cross. AP -
Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines. EPA -
Liverpool's Luis Diaz shoots at goal. Getty -
Real attacker Karim Benzema scores but the goal was disallowed. Getty -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sees a shot saved in the first half by Real goakeeper Thibaut Courtois. Getty -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save from Mohamed Salah. Reuters -
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to cross the ball. Getty -
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. AFP -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois screams at his defence after Liverpool hit the post in the first half. PA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois under pressure from Liverpool's Jordan Henderson. EPA -
Liverpool's Sadio Mane reacts to a challenge from Real midfielder Casemiro. EPA
French minister Oudea-Castera said there were "no problems" regarding Real Madrid supporters at Saturday's match and said the Spanish club, who won a record-extending 14th European Cup with a 1-0 win, managed to control its travelling supporters better than Liverpool.
Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, told Sky News: “I think we’ve got to make sure that the scenes that we experienced on Saturday are never ever replicated again at any sporting occasion.
“The Stade de France holds many different sporting finals – it’s got the Rugby World Cup, the Olympics (2024).
“We need to make sure that lessons are learned from what happened.”
He added: “From my perspective, the football authorities in this country and the Government need to come together and say enough is enough and we will not accept that moving forward.
“Uefa have got to learn lessons about the absolute debacle on Saturday but also around the ticket allocation – there’s lots and lots to learn, so we need a full investigation.”
Liverpool season ratings
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MANAGER: Jurgen Klopp – 9. A year ago the manager looked a broken man. Personal and professional problems made 2020/21 a difficult campaign. Last season he recovered his bounce and his deployment of the squad while competing on four fronts was superb. The added bonus for the Kop is he has extended his contract until 2026. A triumph of a year, even if the two biggest trophies got away from him. Getty Images -
GOALKEEPERS: Alisson Becker – 9. The Brazilian is among the best in the world at his position. His shotstopping is magnificent – especially one-on-one – and his distribution is excellent. He managed the defence with aplomb, too, directing those in front of him. A key component in the team. EPA -
Caoimhin Kelleher ¬– 7. The Irishman did not get much playing time but he made the most of it when he did. His biggest moment came in the League Cup final against Chelsea when he made two crucial saves and scored a penalty in the shoot-out. The most reliable of backups. PA -
DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8. The 23-year-old was again the creative hub of the team. His forward play and his crossing are vital to the way the side plays. Sure, he had some tricky moments defensively when opponents managed to exploit the space behind him, but it was a risk worth taking. He oozed class. Getty Images -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old dropped down the pecking order at centre-half after returning from long-term injury. On the plus side, he was impressive when filling in at right-back. He has done well enough to likely earn a contract extension. Reuters -
Joel Matip – 8. One of the big question marks over the 30-year-old had been his robustness. Injuries were not a factor last season. His use of space, quickness and his ability to bring the ball out from the back were outstanding. It bodes well for the future. Reuters -
Ibrahima Konate – 7. The Frenchman is a work in progress but he made significant advances in the season. He is sometimes skittish on the ball but improved with every outing – his best game was the Champions League final. His physicality is impressive and he was a threat in the opposition box. At just 23 he has massive room for improvement. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 8. It took a while for the Dutchman to return to his imperious best after returning from a cruciate ligament injury. He regained his stature as the season progressed. His commanding presence was vital to the team’s success. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 8. The Scot’s boundless energy and his will to win were evident in every game he played. His crossing added a huge amount of threat to the Liverpool attack. He was one of the major figures in the side. AP Photo -
Kostas Tsimikas – 7. They love the Greek at Anfield and every time he appeared in place of Robertson the crowd loved his approach. There was very little drop-off on the left side when the 26-year-old was involved. Reuters -
MIDFIELDERS: Jordan Henderson – 7. The captain’s workrate and willingness to subvert his own game to help his teammates remained impressive. He might have slowed down a little at 31 but his experience more than made up for any reduction in pace. His leadership showed throughout the campaign. EPA -
Fabinho – 8. The Brazilian is the man who seizes control of the midfield. His contribution was enormous and he supplied the platform from which the team could play. The defence were frequently grateful for his protective tackling. AP Photo -
Thiago Alcantara – 9. At the beginning of the season some were still asking whether the 31-year-old was the right fit for Liverpool. Those questions have long been put to bed. His passing was often wonderful; his pressing remarkably effective. A standout campaign. EPA -
Naby Keita – 6. The Guinean had moments when he looked brilliant and other games where he needed to offer more. He did not produce the consistency that the team needed over the season but a good finish to the campaign earned him a positive rating. EPA -
James Milner – 7. The 36-year-old did everything asked of him. Much of that meant coming off the bench to help see games to their conclusion but the veteran put everything into every performance. Mr Reliable. AFP -
Curtis Jones – 6. The 21-year-old didn’t develop quite as quickly as he might have hoped but that was due to an eye injury and the strength of the squad. He showed enough quality to be optimistic for the future. EPA -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4. It was not a good season for the 28-year-old. His opportunities were limited and when the chances to play came along he rarely shone. With so many impressive performers, he found himself at the back of the queue and a summer exit seems inevitable. AP Photo -
FORWARDS: Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian remained the best attacker in the Premier League and perhaps the world. Even after taking a month off to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, he won the Golden Boot with 23 league goals. Defences were visibly unnerved by his presence. EPA -
Roberto Firmino – 7. The Brazilian dropped down the pecking order but that was because of the abundance of attacking quality rather than his own failings. He was sometimes overshadowed by his teammates but his clever movement and touches frequently improved the side. AP Photo -
Sadio Mane – 8. The Senegalese menaced defences. At times his competitive instincts meant he came close to overstepping the mark but he mainly stayed on the right side of the line. He will be sorely missed when he leaves Anfield this summer. Reuters -
Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese maintained his fine form throughout the campaign. His direct running at defenders and his poacher’s instinct in the area proved effective. EPA -
Luis Diaz – 8. The Colombian has been sensational since arriving from Porto in January. He slotted into the attack as if he had been at Anfield for years. A brilliant buy for the club. AFP -
Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian departs Merseyside in a wave of affection. He was never a natural fit for the side’s style but he gave the team a different look and scored vital goals. The striker showed total commitment every time he played. PA -
Takumi Minamino – 6. The Japanese spent most of his time on the bench. He was top scorer in both domestic cup campaigns and never lacked for effort. A move is likely in the summer and he should thrive elsewhere with more playing time. Reuters -
Harvey Elliott – 6. The 19-year-old started the season expecting to contribute regularly but a serious ankle injury in September slowed his progress. By the time he came back in February, the dynamics of the team had changed and there were fewer chances for the youngster. There will be plenty of time for him to blossom. EPA
