French Minister Acknowledges Missteps in Liverpool Fans' Treatment During 2022 Champions League Final

In an eye-opening interview, Gérald Darmanin admitted that security protocols failed during the 2022 Champions League final and apologized to Liverpool fans for the unjust accusations that led to chaos and violence.

In a significant turn of events, France's former interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, has publicly apologized to Liverpool football fans for his previous mischaracterizations during the controversial Champions League final held at the Stade de France in 2022. Speaking out for the first time since the debacle, Darmanin, now serving as France's justice minister, acknowledged that the handling of the situation was flawed, specifically referencing his initial remarks that incorrectly blamed English fans for the chaos.

"It was a failure because I had not foreseen," Darmanin stated, admitting that his preconceptions had distorted his judgment. He expressed regret, stating, "The scapegoat was easy to find, and I apologize now to Liverpool supporters. They were quite right to be hurt."

The final, which pitted Liverpool against Real Madrid, descended into mayhem as police resorted to using tear gas against Liverpool fans. Furthermore, numerous supporters fell victim to muggings carried out by local gangs. In a thorough interview on the Legend YouTube channel, Darmanin referred to the night as "the biggest failure" of his career, emphasizing the distinction between the true threat posed by criminals against the backdrop of misplaced blame on fans.

"We got our arrangements wrong," he revealed. "We were expecting a war of (football) hooligans, and what we got instead was muggers." His comments come in the wake of initial statements made alongside police chief Didier Lallement, who had cited Liverpool fans with fake tickets as a major factor for the dangerous stampede at the stadium—a claim that was later debunked by an independent UEFA-commissioned report.

Insisting that safety concerns permeate beyond football, Darmanin claimed that "there is no longer any safe place" in France, provoking criticism from right-wing politicians like Jean-Philippe Tanguy, who accused the government of failing on matters of public safety.

In another noteworthy revelation, Darmanin hinted at political ambitions possibly extending towards a presidential run in 2027, stating, "Do I think of the presidential election? The answer is yes.” While he clarified that this does not guarantee his candidacy, his statements reveal an intention to influence the country positively amidst current issues.

As discussions surrounding the UEFA final chaos continue, the impact of Darmanin's words may highlight an urgent need for reform in the approach to fan safety at significant sporting events.