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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Abigail Nicholson

UEFA commission independent report into chaos at Champions League Final

UEFA has commissioned an independent report into the scenes that delayed the Champions League final in Paris.

The European governing body have announced they will commission an independent report into the scenes surrounding the Champions League final on Saturday, May 28. Liverpool supporters were caught up in ugly scenes outside the Stade de France which included men, women and children being tear-gassed and pepper sprayed.

A statement from UEFA read: “UEFA has today announced it has commissioned an independent report into the events surrounding the UEFA Champions League final in Paris on Saturday, May 28. The comprehensive review will examine decision-making, responsibility and behaviours of all entities involved in the final.”

READ MORE: Liverpool FC issue request to all fans who went to Champions League final

The kick-off for the game was delayed three times with thousands of seats empty in the Liverpool end of the ground. A UEFA message inside the stadium initially said the kick-off had been delayed due to the "late arrival of fans at the stadium".

However, the excuse was slammed by Reds supporters, who were also targeted with tear-gas by French police, with many blaming the organisation from UEFA, and the police, as the reason behind the problems. Liverpool have already requested a 'formal investigation' over what supporters were subjected to before the match.

The ECHO understands that the club insists the UEFA message about late arrival of Liverpool fans is totally inaccurate. Security concerns were raised with UEFA on numerous occasions ahead of the match.

It is also understood that senior officials from Liverpool officially requested for the kick-off to be delayed after lobbying UEFA.

However, a UEFA statement released during the game in Paris, claimed that supporters who 'had purchased fake tickets' were the reason why there were problems and why French police were forced to use tear-gas.

And now Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has called on UEFA to look into the distressing scenes and has called for lessons to be learnt from it.

"The footage and accounts from Liverpool fans and the media on their entry to the Stade de France last night are deeply concerning,” a statement from Ms Dorries read.

On Monday, LFC issued a request to all supporters who were in attendance. The club said: "Liverpool FC is asking supporters who attended the Champions League final in Paris to complete a feedback form in order to support the investigation into the operational management of the event.

"The club officially requested a formal and transparent investigation into the issues supporters faced in and around Stade de France, before and after kick-off."

The form can be accessed online here and will also be sent via email directly to supporters who purchased a ticket for the game. Liverpool also thanked fans in advance for taking the time to complete the form.

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