Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly have hit out at the "unacceptable" lack of communication with Reds fans from UEFA's ongoing independent report into events surrounding the Champions League final in Paris.
UEFA announced in May they had commissioned the review following the game at the Stade de France on May 28 in which supporters of both Liverpool and Real Madrid were caught up in chaos outside the stadium before, during and after the game.
An inquiry into the incident by the French senate last week found the problems were caused by a succession of administrative mistakes and failings rather than the actions of Liverpool supporters, who were initially blamed by both UEFA and the French government for either arriving late or turning up without a ticket.
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UEFA's report is due to be published by November, although questions have been raised about the suitability of the head of the review Dr Tiago Brandao Rodrigues, a member of the Portuguese parliament who last season introduced a compulsory fan identity card scheme in an attempt to combat hooliganism that has since largely been disbanded in the wake of strong opposition. It has also emerged he will be assisted by Kenny Scott, UEFA's head of safety and security until last year.
And in an open letter to Dr Rodrigues, signed by Joe Blott of Spirit of Shankly and Ted Morris of the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, the start of dialogue with Reds' fans groups has been urged to restore confidence in the process.
It reads: "It is 18 days since the final panel and list of experts were announced, and just on seven weeks since you were appointed to your position, yet neither you or UEFA have made contact with Spirit of Shankly (Liverpool Supporters Union and official Supporters Trust of LFC) or the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association that represents Liverpool Supporters with disabilities.
"This is despite your stated Terms of Reference: 'The Review will engage with UEFA and all relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, fan groups including Football Supporters Europe as well as those of the two finalist clubs'.
"We had hoped that the publication of the French Senate report 'An Inevitable Fiasco' released on Wednesday 13 July 2022 which exonerated Liverpool fans may have prompted you to contact us. It hasn’t. The lack of engagement with fans as key stakeholders serves only to undermine further any confidence in the veracity of your independent review.
"We understand you have been engaging with Football Supporters Europe, but the glaring gap in engagement with supporters of those clubs directly involved in what happened in Paris is unacceptable."
The letter continues: "The stated timeline for your preliminary findings is the end of September 2022, with the final report to be delivered and published by November 2022. Yet we have not had the courtesy of contact to outline what will happen, when it will happen and who will be involved.
"In your media statement announcing your appointment, you said: 'The events of 28 May were distressing for everyone involved'. The lack of engagement with fans thus far does nothing to ease that distress.
"We also remain concerned about recent revelations regarding many undeclared links, past working arrangements and relationships, all of which offers little or no confidence in trust and independence. We urge you to make contact with supporters - the key stakeholders - as a matter of urgency to restore faith in your review."
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