The Champions League final in Paris took place almost a week back, where Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0, but the biggest night of European club football soon descended into violence and chaos at the Stade de France. UEFA, on Friday, issued an apology to fans of both teams for “frightening and distressing events” at the game. 

The governing body of European football said in its statement that it “wishes to sincerely apologise to all spectators who had to experience or witness frightening and distressing events in the buildup to the Uefa Champions League final at the Stade de France on 28 May 2022 in Paris, on a night which should have been a celebration of European club football. No football fan should be put in that situation, and it must not happen again.” 

Also Read | Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson send emotional message to Liverpool fans

Liverpool supporters have already been calling for an investigation all week but the UEFA statement stopped short of accepting responsibility for the delay and chaos, and also didn’t retract its previous two statements, where the body had blamed Liverpool fans’ late arrival and the purchase of fake tickets for the disruptions. 

“The Review will engage with UEFA and all relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, fan groups… the finalist clubs themselves, general spectators, the French Football Federation, the police and other public national and local authorities, and the stadium operator,” the statement added. 

Also Read | Manchester United confirm Juan Mata leaving club after eight years

Liverpool’s supporters’ trust, Spirit of Shankly, has already expressed scepticism at the nature of the review, saying “In order for the record to be set straight, the investigation needs to be rigorous, swift and firmly independent. It needs proper scope and access to all relevant evidence, and it needs to be open and transparent.” 

Real Madrid have demanded answers too, noting in their statement “As clearly seen in the revealing images provided by the media, many of the fans were assaulted, harassed, mugged and robbed with violence.” 

UEFA has promised that the review will be concluded “within the shortest possible timeframe needed to produce a comprehensive review of the events”.