A UEFA inquiry found that organisational failures, not fan misconduct, caused the chaos at the 2022 Champions League final, prompting official apologies.
Key Facts
- Date of incident
- 28 May 2022
- Scheduled kick-off time
- 21:00 CEST
- Kick-off delay
- 36 minutes behind schedule
- Inquiry report published
- 13 February 2023
- Police methods used
- Tear gas and pepper spray on Liverpool fans
- Outcome of inquiry
- UEFA found to bear primary responsibility
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A large number of Liverpool supporters converged on the Stade de France for the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. Inadequate planning and security arrangements by UEFA and French authorities created severe bottlenecks at stadium entrances, leaving tens of thousands of fans unable to gain access in the hours before kick-off.
French police deployed tear gas and pepper spray against Liverpool supporters outside the stadium. UEFA and French officials initially blamed fans for disorderly conduct and use of counterfeit tickets. The match was delayed by 36 minutes, and the incident resulted in dozens of arrests and hundreds of injuries.
UEFA commissioned a full independent inquiry, whose February 2023 report placed primary responsibility on UEFA and criticised French police, rejecting claims that ticketless fans caused the disorder. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin publicly apologised to Liverpool supporters, admitting his initial blame of fans was an error driven by preconceptions.
Political Outcome
UEFA's independent inquiry concluded UEFA bore primary responsibility; French Interior Minister apologised publicly to Liverpool fans and admitted security arrangements were a failure.