Apology from French Minister: Liverpool Fans Misrepresented in Champions League Chaos

Gérald Darmanin, now the justice minister of France, has publicly apologized to Liverpool supporters for the chaos during the 2022 Champions League final at the Stade de France, admitting that the initial accusation of fan misconduct was a mistake influenced by preconceived notions.

Former French interior minister Gérald Darmanin has delivered a heartfelt apology to Liverpool football supporters, admitting that the chaotic security situation during the 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was mismanaged and that his earlier comments unjustly blaming English fans for the troubles were erroneous.

In a reflective interview, Darmanin, who now serves as France’s justice minister, expressed remorse over what he described as "the biggest failure" of his career. He acknowledged that the security arrangements for the match were inadequate, and his initial public remarks—placing blame on the Liverpool supporters—were misguided. "I had not foreseen [the failures]. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions. The scapegoat was easy to find," he admitted.

The aftermath of the event saw Liverpool fans subjected to police violence, including the use of tear gas, and reports of muggings by local gangs. Darmanin noted that the true threat that night came not from football hooligans but from delinquents targeting innocent fans. He criticized the security forces' preparedness, highlighting that they were poorly equipped to handle muggers and gangs, which he termed a significant oversight.

Initial claims made by Darmanin and police that a crush at the stadium was largely due to Liverpool fans possessing counterfeit tickets have been refuted by an independent UEFA report, further underscoring the flaws in the narrative presented at the time.

In a broader context, Darmanin remarked on the growing concern over safety across France, a comment that incited criticism from political opposition, including from the hard-right National Rally. MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy accused Darmanin of underestimating the French populace's ability to appraise their safety and the state of governance while questioning the effectiveness of the government's record on security.

Darmanin, who is widely considered a potential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, left open the possibility of his political ambitions, stating, "Do I think of the presidential election? The answer is yes." He expressed a desire for France to improve under leadership that recognizes the country's current conditions.

This apology marks a significant shift in acknowledgment of responsibility and could illuminate ongoing discussions about public safety, crowd management at large events, and the treatment of sports fans by authorities.