In a candid interview, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin addressed the chaos at the 2022 Champions League final, where Liverpool fans were mistakenly blamed for security failures. He acknowledged the shortcomings of the security arrangements and apologized to fans for the distress caused.
French Justice Minister Expresses Regret to Liverpool Fans Over Stade de France Incident
French Justice Minister Expresses Regret to Liverpool Fans Over Stade de France Incident
Gérald Darmanin offers an apology for the mishandling of security during the Champions League final, admitting wrongdoing in blaming Liverpool supporters.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has publicly apologized to Liverpool football fans for the chaos that marred the 2022 Champions League final at the Stade de France, where supporters were wrongly accused of causing a riot. During a detailed interview on the Legend YouTube channel, Darmanin admitted that he had misjudged the situation and that placing blame on English fans was a grave error.
"This was a failure because I had not foreseen the true nature of the threat that night. I was misled by my preconceptions," he stated, acknowledging that Liverpool supporters had every right to feel hurt by the accusations. Darmanin described the evening as "the biggest failure" of his career, highlighting that the issues stemmed not from fans, but rather from criminal elements targeting them.
The security arrangements implemented were deemed inadequate, with Darmanin explaining that they anticipated a clash with football hooligans rather than organized criminal gangs. He lamented, "We were prepared for a war of hooligans, but what occurred instead was a series of muggings.” Initial claims made following the event suggested that Liverpool fans were responsible for causing a dangerous crush at the stadium due to fake tickets, a narrative later disproven by an independent UEFA report.
In the interview, Darmanin also expressed concern about rising safety issues across France, a comment that drew criticism from political opponents. Jean-Philippe Tanguy of the National Rally criticized him for his approach, questioning his competence while suggesting he was neglecting serious issues affecting the country.
Darmanin's comments come amid speculation about his future political ambitions, as he hinted at aspirations for a presidential run while expressing a desire for the country to improve. The events surrounding the final continue to resonate, with conversations about accountability and the need for improved security measures in future events growing more prominent.
