A French politician said "the time for official denial is over" following the devastating events at the Champions League final.
Richard Bouigue, the deputy mayor of the 12th arrondissement in Paris, penned an open letter to Liverpool FC fans expressing "deep regret" for the events that took place during and after the final at Stade de France. The match, won 1-0 by Real Madrid, was marred by scenes outside the stadium where fans were caught in bottlenecks and tear-gassed by French police.
The ECHO has spoken with numerous fans who were caught up in the chaos outside the stadium who all said they'd never experienced anything like it. French police and UEFA have drawn considerable criticism for their chaotic handling of the match which put thousands of fans in danger.
READ MORE: Liverpool fan 'haunted' by women and children's screams at Champions League final
Deputy Mayor Bouigue today wrote an open letter to Joe Blott, the chairman of Spirit of Shankly, calling for "the time for apologies".
In the letter he first thanked Liverpool fans for their "good cooperation, good mood and good behaviour" around the fan zone in the 12th arrondissement. He said the atmosphere was "friendly and respectful" and LFC fans broke down negative stereotypes of English fans by "bringing a neighbourhood to life" through "enthusiasm and good mood".
Deputy Mayor Bouigue added: "I hope we will be able to build even more together next time."
He then acknowledged "deep regret for the serious incidents that took place". He said he "bitterly regretted that LFC fans were singled out for criticism and that they were said to be solely responsible for the failure to organise the final.
"Fans are not schizophrenic - Dr Jekyll in the morning and Mr Hyde in the evening at the Stade de France."
Amelie Oudea-Castera, France's sports minister, has stuck to the line that LFC fans without valid tickets were to blame for the chaotic scenes during the final. Her claims have been heavily criticised from all angles for presenting a distorted picture of what happened and for blaming the victims of the chaos.
But Deputy Mayor Bouigue said: "The time for official denial is over, the time for apologies must be imposed. We owe you - and ourselves as well - a serious and thorough investigation, to be carried out in the next few days involving representatives of the Liverpool supporters and the competent English authorities."
Calling the events at the final a "real fiasco" he added: "All light must be shed, the responsibilities identified and improvements made so that this type of chaos, which must have revived the Hillsborough tragedy for many fans, never happens again."
UEFA has commissioned an independent report into the scenes outside the stadium. LFC has also issued a request to all supporters who attended to complete a feedback form to support the investigation.
