UEFA, the governing body of European football, has been chastised by Liverpool Football Club for its handling of the 2018 Champions League final in Paris. Based on an investigation into the events of that night, an independent French Senate report published in July 2022 concluded that Liverpool fans were incorrectly blamed for the chaos that erupted outside the stadium. The report also recommended 15 improvements, but none have been implemented to date.
The report’s authors, including Keele University’s Professor Clifford Stott, concluded that the police’s decision to act unilaterally, assuming that Liverpool fans would cause a public order problem, jeopardized safety. The report also stated that UEFA failed to provide adequate oversight of the planning phase, resulting in a slew of different factors interacting to produce a near-disaster. According to the authors, UEFA plays a critical role in ensuring that such failures do not occur again in the future.
The authors were asked if heads should roll or if people should be held accountable during an interview with our chief reporter. Professor Stott responded by saying that accountability is critical and that those who do not follow the policies agreed upon in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1985 should be held accountable. The report’s authors also stated that an apology is insufficient and that change is required.
In response to the report, Liverpool Football Club issued a statement calling it “shocking” that more than 30 years after the Hillsborough disaster, any club or group of fans would be subject to such fundamental safety failures. The statement also expressed concern for the Hillsborough families, friends, and survivors, whose suffering has only been exacerbated by the events in Paris.
The Football Association (FA) has also issued a statement encouraging everyone involved in the game to take positive action. There is an increasing sense of urgency for UEFA to address these failings and take action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Following the findings of the independent French Senate report, Liverpool Football Club has demanded action from UEFA. The authors of the report have also called for accountability and change to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The FA has also encouraged everyone in the game to take positive action. It is now up to UEFA to take the necessary steps to ensure that fan safety is always a top priority.