The independent commission to deal with the chaos at the Champions League final in Paris intends to present the preliminary results of its investigation by the end of September.
As the European Football Union (UEFA) announced, the final report should then be submitted and published by November. “This review aims to look dispassionately at the evidence and identify responsibilities and opportunities for the future,” said commission chairman Tiago Brandão Rodrigues.
On May 30, UEFA commissioned the Independent Commission, headed by the former Portuguese Minister of Sport, to investigate the events surrounding the Champions League final on May 28 at the Stade de France.
The French police registered more than 100 arrests and 230 injuries around the final between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC (1-0). UEFA explained the chaos by saying that many fans wanted to enter the stadium without valid tickets. The turnstiles at the entrance for Liverpool fans were blocked because thousands with counterfeit tickets could not go through them. The police used tear gas. The kick-off time was pushed back by more than half an hour.
Fan representatives criticized a one-sided representation by UEFA. The association had “sincerely” apologized to all viewers affected. “No football fan should ever find themselves in a situation like this and it must never happen again,” UEFA wrote.