A Liverpool MP called on both the FA and government to keep pressure on the French authorities and UEFA for the "appalling mismanagement" of the Champions League final.
Ian Byrne told a parliamentary debate this morning (February 28) that British authorities must serve the interests of supporters and not UEFA. The West Derby MP held the debate in parliament and pressed for a full apology and the implementation of all 21 recommendations from the independent report commissioned after last year's final.
The report commissioned by UEFA following the final at Paris' Stade de France said the governing body held "primary responsibility" for the chaotic scenes. The match between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be remembered for the scenes before and after - where fans were crushed at the entry, tear gassed by police, and robbed by local gangs.
READ MORE: UEFA given one-week to pay compensation to Liverpool FC fans after final chaos
The report - prepared following a six-month investigation and chaired by Portuguese politician Tiago Brandão Rodrigues - contains a large section criticising how UEFA attempted to shift blame in the days and weeks after the final, in public statements, press releases and during hearings at the French senate.
The report stated UEFA sought to "avoid accountability for the failures which almost led to catastrophe." Liverpool fans, who were initially blamed by authorities, were found to have acted "impeccably". The report found: "It was the ability of Liverpool fans to recognise the challenges being faced by themselves and others and organise collectively to address those challenges which helped people avoid death."
Mr Byrne, supported by a number of Merseyside MPs, told the debate: "I ask the FA not to back the interests of UEFA and back the interests of supporters. The FA in 2023 must serve the game and its supporters." He later added the government needs to keep the pressure on UEFA and French president Emmanuel Macron to ensure the recommendations of the report are met.
Mr Byrne also said any events in the future should ensure plans have a voice as they aren't listened to enough. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society Stuart Andrew said he would make "a personal commitment" to ensure this would happen. Mr Andrew also said Secretary of State Lucy Frazer would be visiting French authorities in the coming weeks to ensure the recommendations of the report are implemented.
Mr Byrne, speaking on behalf of Spirit of Shankly and Liverpool Disabled Supporters' Association, called on all the recommendations to be implemented and the UEFA "lies and smears" to be formally retracted. He added: "I hope lessons will be learned...it will be a fitting legacy for supporters."
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