Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan has demanded an ‘independent probe’ of the events leading up to Saturday’s match outside the Stade de France.
Huge throngs of Liverpool fans were stranded in long lines outside the stadium, and video posted online showed police officers pepper-spraying and teargassing them without warning.
The UEFA Champions League final was delayed by 36 minutes as a result of this fiasco, which UEFA blamed on the fans.
With footage and testimony coming out about what actually happened, Liverpool’s CEO has called for an independent investigation into what went on:
“Incredibly difficult night, a disappointing night, but what happened outside of the stadium completely overshadowed it. I think the stadium entry and breakdown of security in the perimeter was absolutely unacceptable, and frankly the treatment of our fans.
“As we discussed last night with UEFA we are asking for a full and transparent investigation, an independent investigation, that can help establish the facts. It’s absolutely imperative that we understand what happened and how we got into that situation where people’s safety was put at risk.
“It’s important that we understand what happened, but it’s also important that we make sure we take whatever the lessons are and ensure that it never happens again. As an example, the Merseyside police were on the ground, just in an advisory capacity, and you may have seen that they put out a statement earlier where they talked about the behaviour of the fans being exemplary, queuing, and doing what they were being asked to do. And in addition, the fact that fans were there very early at the stadium as well.
“We’re intent on ensuring that there’s an independent investigation and we, as the club, will be a part of that and cooperative and we look forward to making sure that that’s done, and done well.”
The Reds lost the match with a 1-0 scoreline.
