Real Madrid have issued a statement on Friday, June 3 after the chaos of the 2021/22 Champions League final.
Los Blancos and Liverpool faced off at the Stade de France on May 28, with Madrid coming away with a 1-0 win on the day.
The tie, scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time, did not get underway until around 8:40 pm due to what UEFA described as ‘security reasons’.
Videos have since emerged of many fans being funnelled into small passages and being teargassed by French police.
#UCL Final delay: How it happened ?
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol is outside the Stade de France where “the situation has now calmed down.” pic.twitter.com/gkQ0krPVTF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 28, 2022
After the game, French authorities have tried to blame the Liverpool fans for the trouble, with France’s interior minister Gerald Darmanin saying: “It is clear – all the security services notes say so – that the people of Liverpool pose public order problems”
Now though, Madrid have joined Liverpool in demanding answers for the poor handling of the final.
Their statement, which was released on Friday, reads: “In light of the unfortunate events which took place on the 28th of May in the surroundings of and at access points to the Stade de France, and even inside the stadium itself, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to express the following in defence of our fans, who were victim to said events:
1.- We would like to know the reasons which led to this venue being chosen to host the final and the criteria used, taking into account the experiences of the day.
2.- Furthermore, we call for answers and explanations in order to determine those responsible for leaving the fans abandoned and defenceless. Fans who in general terms showed exemplary conduct at all times.
“We believe something which should have been a wonderful festival of football for all fans who attended the game, quickly turned into a series of unfortunate events which have caused a sense of outrage around the world.
“As was evident in the revealing images published by the media, several fans were attacked, harassed, assaulted and robbed in violent fashion. These occurrences continued as they moved in their cars or busses, causing concern for their physical wellbeing. Certain fans even had to spend the night in hospital as a result of injuries.
“Football has transmitted an image to the world which is far away from the values and goals which it should pursue.
“Our fans and supporters deserve a response and those responsible to be held accountable in order for events like these to be eradicated from football and sport in general.”
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