The night of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League final was a forgettable experience for Liverpool fans, both on the pitch and off it. Even before the start of the game against Real Madrid, the Reds fans faced a most hostile environment outside the Stade de France.
There was pandemonium, with security measures completely infringed, as an atmosphere of chaos engulfed the stadium. As a result, the authorities had to take severe measures to curtail the damage, even being forced to delay the commencement of the game by 35 minutes.
It was initially unclear as to the reason behind the delay, with several sources positing a possible injury to midfielder Thiago Alcantara during training, after which Jurgen Klopp was finalising changes to the team sheet.
Resultantly, around 1,700 Liverpool supporters, who suffered injuries and psychological trauma due to the situation at the Stade de France, have decided to file a lawsuit against the governing body UEFA for failing to “provide a safe and secure environment”.
Liverpool law firm Bingham’s have partnered with Pogust Goodhead, representing 1,450 fans who were affected by the incident. The legal team claims that UEFA committed a breach of contract in ticket sales by not ensuring the safety and security of the fans, which is their responsibility.
”As a lifelong Liverpool fan, I was absolutely horrified when I heard how events unfolded at what should have been the highlight of the football season.
Not only fellow fans, but my friends, family and clients who were in attendance that day have spoken of the terrifying scenes that surrounded the Stade de France before, and even after, the game,”
Gerard Long, an executive from Bingham’s said.
Liverpool FC have also received around 8,500 testimonies from fans who travelled to witness the final, which will be submitted for an independent review to UEFA to evaluate the situation.
