In a landmark moment, Gérald Darmanin, the former interior minister of France, has issued a heartfelt apology to Liverpool football supporters regarding the turmoil at the 2022 Champions League final held at Stade de France. Darmanin recognized that security measures were inadequate and expressed regret for his initial remarks, which blamed English fans for the chaos.
"The scapegoat was easy to find, and I apologize now to Liverpool supporters," Darmanin stated, acknowledging that the failure of security protocols was predominantly due to the presence of muggers rather than the fans themselves. He reflected on the chaotic scenes where Liverpool fans were tear-gassed while entering the stadium, with many also falling victim to theft.
Darmanin admitted, "Our security arrangements were not designed for that eventuality," revealing that authorities prepared for hooliganism instead of dealing with criminal activity. He acknowledged that the false narrative of fake tickets being responsible for the crush had been debunked by an independent UEFA report.
His apology marks a significant step in acknowledging the mismanagement that led to the distressing events of that night. Despite his contrition, Darmanin also faced criticism from political opponents regarding his broader assessments about rising violence in France, suggesting that crime has permeated all areas of life in the country.
As speculation arises about Darmanin's future political ambitions, he conveyed his determination to push for improvement in the nation, as he reflects on the need for effective governance and public safety. The apology underscores an ongoing effort to reconcile with football fans affected by the chaos of the UEFA event.
"The scapegoat was easy to find, and I apologize now to Liverpool supporters," Darmanin stated, acknowledging that the failure of security protocols was predominantly due to the presence of muggers rather than the fans themselves. He reflected on the chaotic scenes where Liverpool fans were tear-gassed while entering the stadium, with many also falling victim to theft.
Darmanin admitted, "Our security arrangements were not designed for that eventuality," revealing that authorities prepared for hooliganism instead of dealing with criminal activity. He acknowledged that the false narrative of fake tickets being responsible for the crush had been debunked by an independent UEFA report.
His apology marks a significant step in acknowledging the mismanagement that led to the distressing events of that night. Despite his contrition, Darmanin also faced criticism from political opponents regarding his broader assessments about rising violence in France, suggesting that crime has permeated all areas of life in the country.
As speculation arises about Darmanin's future political ambitions, he conveyed his determination to push for improvement in the nation, as he reflects on the need for effective governance and public safety. The apology underscores an ongoing effort to reconcile with football fans affected by the chaos of the UEFA event.
