Uefa apologise to Liverpool after being found at fault for Champions League final chaos

The final was delayed by 36 minutes after thousands of Liverpool supporters were unable to get into the Stade de France for the match on May 28, while French police were filmed using tear gas on fans

Liverpool fans waiting to get into the Stade de France in Paris before the Champions League final. Getty

Gaps in the Liverpool end as fans struggle to get into the ground before kick-off. EPA

Liverpool fans waiting to get into the Stade de France in Paris before the Champions League final. PA

The giant screen showing that the kick-off has been depalyed due to late arriving fans. PA

Police officers on horseback as Spanish fans gather near Stade de France. Getty

Liverpool fans queue to gain entry to the stadium as Kick off is delayed ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final at the Stade de France, Paris. Picture date: Saturday May 28, 2022.

Fans waiting outside the gates to enter the stadium. PA

Police spray tear gas at Liverpool fans outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans cover their faces after being sprayed by pepper spray. PA

Liverpool fans are seen queuing outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans are seen queuing outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans cover their faces after being sprayed by pepper spray. Getty

An angry Liverpool fan before the game. Getty

Gaps in the Liverpool end as fans struggle to get into the ground before kick-off. Getty

Liverpool fans queue to gain entry to the stadium. PA

A review into the chaos before the 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid has said organisers Uefa were responsible for the events which unfolded including a "large number of near misses that nearly led to disaster".

European football governing body Uefa apologised to Liverpool for initially blaming the club's fans for the mayhem following the release of an independent review on Monday.

The final was delayed by 36 minutes after thousands of Liverpool supporters were unable to get into the Stade de France for the match on May 28, which Real won 1-0, while French police were filmed using tear gas on fans including women and children.

Uefa and French authorities at the time blamed the chaos on ticket fraud, although the review said there was no evidence to support such claims.

The final "will be remembered as a moment of suffering for many fans but should also be a reminder of a situation we certainly do not want to witness again in the future at any sporting event in Europe or anywhere in the world," said Tiago Brandao Rodrigues, a member of Portugal's parliament, who chaired the investigation.

"Avoiding future disasters and improving the service provided at football events was the aim of the Panel’s work during this process," he added in the 220-page review, which had a panel including legal, policing and event-management consultants as well as representatives from fan groups.

Uefa General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said the body "would like to apologise most sincerely once again to all those who were affected by the events that unfolded on what should have been a celebration at the pinnacle of the club season".

He added: "In particular, I would like to apologise to the supporters of Liverpool FC for the experiences many of them had when attending the game and for the messages released prior to and during the game which had the effect of unjustly blaming them for the situation leading to the delayed kick-off."

Liverpool said they were disappointed that they had not received a copy of the report before it surfaced in several British media outlets hours before it was officially released.

"It's hugely disappointing that a report of such significance, such importance to football supporters’ lives and future safety, should be leaked and published in this way," the Merseyside club said in a statement.

"It's been over eight months of work by the independent panel and it is only right and proper to publish the contents of the report to our supporters appropriately."