April 6 – Nearly 900 Liverpool fans caught up in the chaotic scenes at last year’s Champions League final are to sue UEFA, according to their lawyers.
The final at Stade de France in Paris was overshadowed by dangerous crushes as a result of access issues and many fans were tear-gassed or pepper-sprayed by police.
An independent review concluded in February that UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for what almost led to a “mass fatality catastrophe” at the showpiece fixture last May.
Fans found themselves penned against stadium perimeter fences ahead of the match and law firm Leigh Day has now issued a group personal injury claim on behalf of 887 fans on the basis UEFA failed to ensure a safe and secure environment for those attending.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin last month apologised for the chaotic scenes at the Stade de France and expressed his relief “nothing terrible happened”.
Ceferin also appeared to allude to his organisation’s culpability at a press conference Wednesday following the UEFA Congress in Lisbon, vowing to learn from the event.
“We must never forget the mistakes of the past and we must remain humble at all times,” he said. “Nothing can ever be taken for granted.
“Unfortunately, unlike goalkeepers, leaders can never keep a ‘clean sheet’. No leader can boast an unblemished record, however much they invest and however passionate, professional or experienced they are.
“There are always a few stains, a few mistakes that tarnish our reputation, errors they would love to erase.
“I am no different and UEFA is no different. The most important thing is to understand the mistakes and change, not to repeat them.”
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