Gérald Darmanin admits fault in blaming Liverpool fans for Champions League chaos

In France, Gérald Darmanin, the Justice Minister and former Interior Minister, publicly acknowledged his mistakes in connection with the security failures during the 2022 UEFA Champions League final held at Stade de France. The chaos that unfolded outside the stadium before the match is now attributed to poor planning and execution by French authorities rather than the actions of Liverpool fans, a narrative that Darmanin initially supported. In a recent interview, he admitted that on the day of the final, he was misled by preconceived notions regarding English fans and failed to verify the real situation at the stadium promptly. Darmanin stated that he only understood what was truly occurring after reviewing surveillance footage, finding out about the crowd surge and subsequent disorder that matinee-goers faced upon arrival. Initially, he had been briefed that hooliganism was a potential threat, which misguided his early remarks. Only after hindsight did he recognize that the danger arose not from the fans but from individuals attempting to rob them. This new perspective prompted him to express retroactive sympathy towards Liverpool supporters who had been wrongfully scapegoated. An independent investigation conducted by UEFA later reinforced Darmanin's acknowledgment that security arrangements were inadequate and incorrectly anticipated. It has been established that many of the issues were a result of the police's failures to manage the situation effectively, leading to unintended harm to innocent fans. The commotion provoked outrage and frustration among the supporters and intensified discussions about the mismanagement of large-scale events in France. In the light of the serious security breaches that night, both UEFA and French officials have received considerable criticism for their roles in facilitating an event that ended in chaos and violence. The investigation revealed that security systems in place were not suitable for the type of crowd that gathered, and the riot police deployed were ill-equipped for the unpredictable nature of the scenario. A report published in February 2023 concluded that UEFA bore the primary responsibility for the security neglection experienced that evening, with a staggering sense of relief that no fatalities occurred in such a tumultuous atmosphere.