UEFA announces Liverpool ticket refunds for Champions League final
UEFA has announced that all Liverpool fans who purchased a ticket for last season’s Champions League final will receive refunds following the disgraceful scenes outside the Stade de France.
While attempting to gain access to the stadium to watch the Reds take on Real Madrid, Liverpool fans – some of whom were there with young children – were refused entry, tear-gassed and pepper sprayed by French police.
Kickoff was delayed by 36 minutes due to the unfolding chaos outside the Stade de France, where it was also reported that trapped fans were targeted by local gangs.
Los Blancos defeated the Reds 1-0 on the night thanks to Vinicius Junior’s winner, but the result soon paled into insignificance, and Liverpool fans were initially blamed for the disorder.
UEFA and French authorities claimed that fans arriving late – either with fake tickets or no tickets at all – instigated the chaos, a baseless allegation strenuously denied by supporters and journalists among the crowd.
Last month, an independent report found that UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for the harrowing scenes, and Liverpool fans were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Now, the governing body have announced that refunds will be issued to the 19,618 tickets that were allocated to Liverpool supporters for the final via a special scheme.
Real Madrid supporters and neutral fans can also apply should they meet UEFA’s criteria, with the organisation offering refunds for fans “who were the most affected by the difficulties in accessing the stadium”.
A statement from UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis read: “We have taken into account a huge number of views expressed both publicly and privately and we believe we have devised a scheme that is comprehensive and fair.
“We value the input from the Liverpool FC supporter organisations Spirit of Shankly (SoS) and Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA) as well as the open and transparent dialogue throughout this period.
“We recognise the negative experiences of those supporters on the day and with this scheme we will refund fans who had bought tickets and who were the most affected by the difficulties in accessing the stadium.”
Fan groups Spirit of Shankly and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association also welcomed the initiative while re-affirming that UEFA should not be exempt from criticism, stating: “We welcome today’s announcement from UEFA.
“This unprecedented move is the result of tireless work, alongside FSE (Football Supporters Europe) and Ian Byrne MP, to hold those responsible for the catastrophic events in Paris.
“With a promise to reimburse supporters, UEFA have gone some way to acknowledging their part in the fiasco. But it does not excuse UEFA, exempt them from criticism or lessen the need for them to implement all of the recommendations made by the independent inquiry. We will work alongside Liverpool and publish details once we know how and when refunds will be processed.”
Following the findings of the independent report last month, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted that he was “really happy” to see his side’s fans cleared of any wrongdoing.
