French Justice Minister Apologizes to Liverpool Fans Over 2022 Champions League Incident

In a recent interview, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed regret to Liverpool football fans for the chaos that surrounded the 2022 Champions League final. He admitted to the misallocation of blame and highlighted security failures, emphasizing that the true issues lay not with the fans, but with criminal activity.

France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has publicly apologized to Liverpool fans for the chaos that erupted during the 2022 Champions League final at the Stade de France. This apology marks the first time a senior official has taken accountability for the unfortunate events of that night, where Liverpool supporters were mistakenly pinned as the instigators of a riot.

Darmanin confessed that the security arrangements were inadequate, stating, "It was a failure because I had not foreseen. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions." The minister, previously the interior minister, noted it was an easy move to find a scapegoat, admitting that Liverpool supporters had every reason to feel hurt by the accusations directed at them.

The tension escalated as police used tear gas when fans attempted to enter the stadium, resulting in some attendees being robbed by gangs of local youths. Darmanin candidly revealed that the greatest issue that night stemmed not from the English fans but from criminals taking advantage of the chaos.

"Our security arrangements were not designed for that eventuality," he reflected. "We were expecting a war of hooligans, and what we got instead was muggers."

Initially, both Darmanin and police chief Didier Lallement had attributed the dangerous crush at the stadium to Liverpool supporters possessing fake tickets. This allegation was later discredited by an independent report commissioned by UEFA.

In a broader context, Darmanin's interview also touched upon the prevalence of violence in France. He remarked that there is "no longer any safe place" in the country. His comments have drawn criticism from political opponents who argue that the government's handling of security issues over the years has been inadequate.

Despite these controversies, Darmanin hinted at his political ambitions for the future, suggesting that he may consider a presidential run in the upcoming elections, reflecting on his desire for a better future for France.