Real Madrid supports Liverpool and issues a strongly worded statement against the French authorities
Real Madrid, the Spanish champion of Europe, demanded answers about how to deal with the fans in the final of the main continental competition last week, stressing that the authorities must bear responsibility for the ugly scenes in Paris, which he considered "far from the values and goals" of the sport, and this comes in support of a previous claim by the club. Liverpool is also waiting for the results of the French investigation and satisfactory answers about what happened against the fans.
In a strongly worded statement in defense of the fans, the Royal Club asked, "Why was the "Stade de France" in the suburbs of Paris chosen to host the final against Liverpool, which ended with winning its fourteenth title in its history, and who "was responsible for leaving the fans helpless and without protection?"
Some Real fans confirmed that they were victims of crimes after the end of the match last Saturday, while many of them reported that they were attacked and robbed outside the stadium.
Before the match, whose kick-off was delayed more than half an hour, a large number of Liverpool fans who held tickets had to wait long hours to enter the stadium, while the French police used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds.
Some said they were afraid they would be crushed after using small holes to allow some of them to pass.
"We understand that what should have been a grand celebration of football for all the fans who attended the match turned into unfortunate events that sparked outrage all over the world," Real added.
And he added, "As clearly shown in the photos published by the media, many fans were subjected to violent attacks, harassment and robbery. Some incidents also occurred while they were driving their cars or traveling in buses, which made them feel fear for their safety."
"Some of them had to spend the night in hospital because of their injuries. Football has conveyed to the world an image that is far from the values and goals that you should always strive to achieve," he added.
"Our followers and fans deserve to respond, to take responsibility and eradicate situations like the ones we've experienced forever from football and sports," he concluded.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanan apologized Wednesday for the disastrous organization of the Champions League final, which paves the way for compensation to Liverpool fans who were fired at tear gas, but he stuck to his controversial account about the number of fake cards presented at the entrance to the Stade de France.
"It is clear that things could have been better organized," Darmanin said during a hearing before a committee in the French Senate, deploring "spoiling a sporting celebration" and "sometimes unacceptable excesses."
He offered "sincere apologies" to Liverpool fans for the "grave harm, particularly to children" caused by the use of tear gas.
Controversy still exists over the chaotic Champions League final, with Liverpool president Tom Werner demanding an apology from French Sports Minister Amelie Odea-Castera for pointing the finger at Reds fans for creating chaos and acquiring fake tickets, denouncing the "strategy of blaming others".
The European Football Association commissioned "Wifa" to prepare an independent report on what happened in the match.
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