UEFA have published the full independent review into the events surrounding the Champions League final in Paris after it was leaked earlier today.
The governing body say they have "welcomed the findings" and are "analysing the outcome of the review assessing them against its own analysis of the event plus the facts surrounding it", as well as issuing an apology to Liverpool supporters caught up in the chaos. They have also confirmed that they will separately announce a special refund scheme for fans.
Incidents prior to and after May's showpiece final in the France capital saw Liverpool fans - including women, children and disabled - teargassed, mugged by armed local youths and forced into dangerous crushes as they made their way to and from the Stade de France as well as entering the stadium.
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A panel of experts was set up by UEFA last summer to investigate the poor treatment of thousands of Liverpool fans who travelled to France. Following their conclusion, the governing body says it has accepted that it highlights a number of important lessons of how the organisation of the final could have improved and the report also sets recommendations to ensure better fan experience and safety at future events.
UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: "We are grateful to Dr. Brandão Rodrigues and the Panel for this piece of work.
"On behalf of UEFA, I would like to apologise most sincerely once again to all those who were affected by the events that unfolded on what should have been a celebration at the pinnacle of the club season.
"In particular, I would like to apologise to the supporters of Liverpool FC for the experiences many of them had when attending the game and for the messages released prior to and during the game which had the effect of unjustly blaming them for the situation leading to the delayed kick-off.
"UEFA is committed to learning from the events of 28 May, and will cooperate closely with supporters’ groups, the finalist clubs, the host associations and local authorities in order to deliver outstanding finals where everyone can enjoy the game in a safe, secure and welcoming environment."
The leaking of the document came hours before Liverpool took on Everton in the Merseyside derby as their preparations were focused on picking up their first win of the calendar year. UEFA has since published the report produced by the independent panel.
In a statement of their own, the Reds slammed the manner in which the 158-page review was published. A spokesperson said: "It’s hugely disappointing that a report of such significance, such importance to football supporters’ lives and future safety, should be leaked and published in this way.
"It’s been over eight months of work by the independent panel and it is only right and proper to publish the contents of the report to our supporters appropriately.
"We will await to receive a copy of the report and digest it thoroughly before making any further comment."
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