Gérald Darmanin, France’s current justice minister and former interior minister, has issued a public apology to Liverpool fans for his role in wrongly blaming them for the chaos during the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. Darmanin acknowledged that the events of that night represented a major failure in his career. He admitted that, in the aftermath of the match, he had unjustly scapegoated Liverpool supporters for the disorder surrounding the event, including the use of teargas by police on fans, some of whom were children.
The incident occurred on May 28, 2022, when Liverpool fans traveling to the Stade de France faced a nightmarish experience. Fans were forced into narrow entry points and overcrowded lanes that failed to accommodate the massive influx of supporters, creating a dangerous situation. This mismanagement of crowd control raised serious concerns about safety, with a French senate report later revealing that overcrowding posed a risk of crushing. Amid the chaos, security measures faltered, and ticket checks were abandoned, allowing many without tickets, including local youths, to gain access to the stadium.
As the match neared kick-off, stadium turnstiles were closed, preventing ticket-holding fans from entering. The growing crowd outside led to tensions escalating further, with police resorting to using pepper spray and teargas on the crowd. After the match, many Liverpool fans reported being robbed by local gangs, and there were complaints that police had failed to offer adequate protection.
Despite the testimonies of fans and the severity of the situation, Darmanin and other officials, including the French government and UEFA, initially placed the blame squarely on Liverpool supporters. They claimed that thousands of fans had tried to enter the stadium with fake tickets, alleging an “industrial-scale” ticket fraud. These claims were quickly disputed by fans, who asserted that they were the victims of poor planning, inadequate security, and false narratives.
In his apology, Darmanin admitted that he had been influenced by preconceptions and had made a grave mistake in his initial response. Reflecting on his handling of the situation, he acknowledged that blaming the Liverpool fans was an error. “The scapegoat was easy to find, and I apologise now to Liverpool supporters,” Darmanin stated. “They were quite right to be hurt. It was a mistake and a failure.”
Darmanin’s apology came after months of public outrage and scrutiny. In the days following the match, he had expressed regret over the event’s mismanagement but refrained from offering a specific apology to Liverpool supporters. Instead, he had apologized broadly for the poor organization, acknowledging his own responsibility for the failure. This partial admission of fault, however, did not extend to clearing Liverpool fans of the false accusations leveled against them at the time.
The frustration surrounding Darmanin’s previous responses was echoed by Ian Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, who expressed disappointment at the former interior minister’s actions. Byrne criticized Darmanin for perpetuating false claims about hooliganism and fake tickets, which he believed were designed to deflect responsibility from the authorities and frame the fans as troublemakers. He remarked that Darmanin’s actions had been unforgivable and questioned his fitness to hold a position of authority, especially in the realm of justice.
While Liverpool supporters may acknowledge the apology, many feel that Darmanin’s past conduct remains unforgivable. The aftermath of the 2022 final has been marked by a continued fight for justice, with investigations and legal challenges continuing to expose the extent of the mismanagement and state cover-up. A judge recently ruled that Liverpool fans affected by the chaos are entitled to pursue personal injury claims in the UK, further underlining the long-lasting impact of the events at Stade de France.
In the end, while Darmanin’s apology represents a small step towards reconciliation, it does little to erase the lasting resentment felt by many Liverpool fans who endured a traumatic experience at the hands of those in charge of the event’s safety and security. The battle for accountability continues, and the memories of that night remain deeply ingrained in the minds of those who were there.
