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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan writes to fans to thank them for 'ensuring the truth prevailed' after UEFA report

Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan says the help of supporters contacted for feedback on last year's Champions League final chaos was "invaluable" in exonerating fans.

Fans were penned against fences and teargassed by police during troubling scenes before, during and after the match at the Stade de France in Paris last May, which Real Madrid won 1-0.

The 220-page review, which was published on Monday evening and compiled based on interviews and testimonies from witnesses and key stakeholders, exonerated Reds fans and said UEFA were "primarily responsible for failures which almost led to disaster".

READ MORE: Liverpool release strong new statement on 'shocking' UEFA Champions League final report

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And Hogan has sent an email to more than 9,000 fans who submitted their feedback from the traumatic events of that evening.

The email read: "I would like to once again offer my sincere gratitude to you for taking the time and the trouble to submit a feedback form about your experiences at the UEFA Champions League final in Paris.

"As I’ve said previously, I recognise that writing down the detail of what happened may have been incredibly difficult for you, but the testimony you and nine thousand others provided have been invaluable in terms of painting a picture of the night overall, and the multitude of issues that arose.

"As you may have seen, the UEFA-commissioned independent panel report into the distressing events surrounding the final has now been released. You may also have seen that as a club we have responded by saying we broadly welcome the findings and the recommendations.

"Establishing the facts, in the face of misinformation from numerous different quarters, was essential for the panel to reach their conclusions. Your testimony and first-hand account of what actually happened were absolutely critical in achieving this objective, and ensuring the truth prevailed.

"You should feel very proud of the part you played in getting us to where we are right now. I would like to remind you that the mental health support we provided in the aftermath of Paris is still available via the LFC website and LFC Foundation channels.

"Finally, I’d like to reiterate that this is by no means the end of the matter. Liverpool Football Club, with its proud history in Europe, will stand ready alongside our supporters to play our part and work with those in authority to ensure no football fan experiences another Paris.

"Thank you again for your continued support. Billy Hogan"

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