Several British MPs and Liverpool Football Club are calling for a full investigation into the Champions League final chaos.
The Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, Ian Byrne, attended the Liverpool-Real Madrid encounter in Paris and said he had never witnessed such scenes since the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
He said he was concerned by the “narrative of lies” which he could see beginning to build, similar to the tragedy of 32 years ago. Then, 97 supporters were killed and hundreds injured following overcrowding at the Liverpool-Nottingham Forest FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.
In a tweet on Saturday night, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted blamed ticketless British fans for the delays that led to thousands being stuck outside the perimeter fence for hours on end at the Stade de France and then targeted with tear gas.
Mr Byrne says he will now call on Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to demand her French counterpart launch a full probe into what went wrong.
“That narrative of lies that we all know so well from 1989 has begun,” Mr Byrne told Sky Sports News.
“I’ve never ever seen a more hostile environment. From the outset the police, the security, everything about it, was absolutely awful.
“We ended up getting through the gates an hour before [the game], as there were 13 turnstiles and only two open. I begged the security guard to open the other gates.
“I hope Liverpool Football Club and our government stand up for Liverpool fans, because that could have happened to any other football team.”
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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
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston joined Liverpool in urging Uefa to launch a formal investigation into what caused the entry issues around the match.
“The footage and accounts from Liverpool fans and the media on their entry to the Stade de France last night are deeply concerning,” Ms Dorries said.
“Thousands of ticket holders travelled to Paris in good time to support their team in the biggest match of their season.
“I urge Uefa to launch a formal investigation into what went wrong and why, in co-ordination with stadium staff, the French Police, the French football federation, Merseyside Police and Liverpool Football Club.
“It is in the interests of everyone involved to understand what happened and to learn lessons from these events.”
Huddleston tweeted: “It is yet to be explained why access to the Stade de France was so limited, which led to some @LFC fans, including the young and elderly, being attacked with tear gas and unable to reach their seats.
“A full and urgent investigation must be launched by @UEFA and French authorities.”
Liverpool said the entry issues at the Stade de France and the breakdown of the security perimeter were “hugely disappointing”.
Tear gas was used on the fans waiting at the fence, despite Merseyside Police observers saying the majority of supporters had behaved in an “exemplary” manner there. It was reportedly deployed again at the fan zone on the Cours de Vincennes immediately after the final whistle.
Uefa said the delays were caused by “thousands of fans” trying to gain entry with fake tickets which would not work in the turnstiles. The Paris police prefecture said these supporters “employed strong force” in an attempt to gain entry and delayed the entrance of those with genuine tickets.
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian had little to do but got into a muddle for the disallowed goal. Some of his expeditions out of his area verged on erratic. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6. The 23-year-old had a few good moments but was not as influential as usual. If he had checked over his shoulder, it might have been possible to stop the winning goal. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate - 8. This was the Frenchman’s best performance in a red shirt. He was strong in the tackle and quick to snuff out danger. His one questionable moment was before the disallowed goal and he was saved by VAR. AP -
Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was powerful and composed and tried to spark attacks when on the ball. He was rarely in trouble but got dragged a little wide before the goal. AP -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot tried to get forward but his crossing was erratic. His link-up play on the left with Diaz did not work as well as usual. AP -
Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain worked effectively in midfield and tried to move the ball quickly when in possession. He was withdrawn for Keita in the 77th minute as Liverpool chased a goal. EPA -
Fabinho - 6. The Brazilian stamped his authority on the midfield early on and ensured his team were on top for most of the game. He did not contribute much going forward. AFP -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. The 31-year-old was an injury worry before the game and did not look quite right even though his passing was neat. He was replaced by Firmino with 13 minutes to go. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian was marginalised in the first half but threatened after the break. Some of his shots lacked precision but he was unlucky to be foiled by the brilliance of Courtois. Getty -
Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese hit the post and caused Real some alarm. He was the victim of some rugged defending. EPA -
Luis Diaz - 5. The Colombian had an off night and lost his contest with Carvajal. Jota came on for him in the 65th minute. Getty -
SUBS: Diogo Jota (Diaz 65') - 6. The Portuguese was an upgrade on Diaz but was unable to beat Courtois. He was swamped by a blanket defence. Getty -
Naby Keita (Henderson 77') - 5. He showed for the ball but never looked like turning the match Liverpool’s way. AP -
Roberto Firmino (Thiago 77') - 6. The Brazilian produced some clever touches but they were not enough to change the course of the game. Getty -
REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 10. One of the great Champions League final performances, the Belgian produced save after save, including six from Salah alone, to guide Real Madrid to victory. Getty -
Dani Carvajal - 8. Had the unenviable task of marking Diaz but stood firm, won his battle with the Colombian, and played a key role in Madrid's clean sheet. AP -
Eder Militao - 8. Won 100 per cent of his aerial duels and both attempted tackles while also making three successful interceptions, the Brazilian was a rock amid relentless Liverpool attacks. AP -
David Alaba - 8. The Austrian was superb alongside Militao, winning four out of five ground duels, making four successful tackles, three interceptions, and three blocked shots. What an incredible free transfer Alaba has turned out to be. Reuters -
Ferland Mendy - 8. Had his hands full defensively against Salah but the Frenchman was excellent on the ball, achieving a 97 per cent passing accuracy and won 100 per cent of his one-on-one duels. AP -
Luka Modric - 7. Played a key role in the build-up to the goal and celebrated the Champions League triumph by announcing he had signed a new contract. A fifth European Cup for the ageless Croatian. Reuters -
Casemiro - 9. Superb from the Brazilian who delivered a vintage defensive midfield display, winning 5/5 aerial duels, 8/11 ground duels, and four tackles, as well as six ball recoveries. Getty -
Toni Kroos - 7. Quiet in the first half but grew into the game after the break, achieving 93 per cent passing accuracy including 100 per cent of his 11 attempted long balls. Getty -
Federico Valverde - 8. Preferred to Rodrygo on the right wing and it proved the right move from Carlo Ancelotti after the Spaniard played the killer pass for Vinicius Jr's winning goal. Beyond the assist, Valverde had a good game. AP -
Karim Benzema - 7. Capped a sensational season by winning a fifth Champions League title. There was to be no final goalscoring heroics but surely Benzema is headed for the Ballon d'Or. EPA -
Vinicius Junior - 9. A constant threat down Madrid's left flank and popped up with the game-winning goal. Vinicius finished the season with 22 goals and 20 assists. Getty -
SUBS: Eduardo Camavinga (Valverde 85') - N/A. Brought on for the final five minutes to help Madrid over the line. AP -
Dani Ceballos (Modric 90') - N/A. Provided fresh legs for injury time. Getty -
Rodrygo (Vinicius 90'+3) - N/A. AFP
The police said others then sought to capitalise on this and breached the fences.
“The rapid intervention of security forces allowed calm to return and helped to remove the disruptors from the surroundings of the Stade de France,” a force statement read.
Kelly Simmons, the women’s professional game director at the Football Association, was caught up in the chaos.
“Crushed on the way in, unable to move for 90 mins. Face wedged against someone in front. Absolutely terrifying. Tear gassed on the way out as we were near a v minor skirmish. A night from hell #paris” she tweeted.
She added in a further tweet: “My legs were like jelly and had to keep sitting down in the game. All I could think was we have to get out at the end. All the fans near me in that crush behaved impeccably calling for calm/no panic. It was just sheer volume and nowhere to go as no gates open.”
The problems did not end there for Liverpool fans. After their 1-0 defeat, many were reportedly assaulted and robbed by local youths on the 10-minute walk back to train stations.
Former Liverpool defender and now television pundit, Jim Beglin, said people were running “a gauntlet of thuggery”.
On Sunday afternoon, Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan reiterated the club’s stance on the unsavoury events.
“The stadium entry and breakdown of security in the perimeter was absolutely unacceptable and frankly the treatment of our fans as well," he told LFCTV. "We are intent on ensuring there is an independent investigation."
