Liverpool club asks French Sports Minister to apologize after fan ‘nightmare’

Werner, a member of the US-based Fenway Sports Group that owns Liverpoolsaid in a leaked letter to the French sports minister on May 30 that he completely disagreed with Amelie Oudea-Castera’s comments about chaos before the Champions League final at the Stade de France.

Liverpool fans blamed for chaos that delayed Champions League final AFP

Ms Oudea-Castera initially blamed Liverpool for contributing to the mayhem, telling a French radio station that the English side had failed to properly organize fans to Paris. The French government also announced “terrible” ticket fraud from Liverpool fans was also one of the causes of the chaos that caused the final match with Real Madrid (the team won 1-0 to take the throne) severely affected. So scenes like these have tarnished the French capital’s reputation, raising questions about its ability to host major sporting events in preparation for the 2024 Olympics, as well as the Rugby World Cup in next year.

“I am writing to you today out of complete disbelief that a minister of the French government can make a series of statements on matters still under investigation,” Werner wrote in the leaked letter. leak to the local newspaper Liverpool Echo.

France said it was investigating the use of fake tickets by Liverpool fans AFP

“Your comments are irresponsible, unprofessional and completely disrespectful to the thousands of fans who have been physically and mentally harmed. On behalf of all the fans who have been through the storm. nightmare, I ask you for an apology and to ensure that the French authorities and UEFA allow an independent and transparent investigation,” the president added.

UEFA also announced on May 30 that it would issue an “independent report” on the issues at the Champions League final to “examine the decision-making, responsibility and behavior of all the entities involved”. . The organization said it had appointed the politician who Portugal Tiago Brandao Rodrigues to oversee the report on a professional basis and will decide on a course of action. Meanwhile, Liverpool FC said on its website that it was asking fans who attended the match for feedback to assist in the investigation.

Salah for the second time with Liverpool lost in the Champions League final AFP

Last weekend, Paris police initially blamed the ticketless fans but they were vindicated after a lengthy legal battle. In his letter, Werner called the events in Paris “extremely dangerous for all in attendance” and urged against “a strategy of blaming through the press conference”. “I have received countless emails from Liverpool fans, who were scared to death and came back to life, and were subjected to strong police action,” the Liverpool club president emphasized.