Real Madrid on Friday demanded an explanation for the way it treated fans in the Champions League final last weekend and said the authorities should take responsibility for the ugly scenes in Paris, which the club said were the “values” of the sport. far away”. In a statement published “in defense of supporters”, Madrid asked why the Stade de France was chosen as the venue for the final against Liverpool and asked “who was responsible for leaving the fans helpless and defenseless.”
Some Madrid fans have said they were victims of crime after Saturday’s match, with many reporting beatings and looting took place outside the stadium.
Before the game, with thousands of Liverpool fans waiting hours to enter the arena with tickets, French police used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowd.
Some Liverpool supporters said they feared being crushed after small holes were used to filter the queues.
In a statement on Friday, Real Madrid said: “We understand what should have been a great celebration of football for all the fans attending the game, which turned into unfortunate incidents that caused deep outrage around the world .
“As clearly seen in the revealing images submitted by the media, many fans were violently attacked, harassed and robbed.
“Some (of these) incidents happened even when they were driving in their cars or buses out of fear of their physical well being.
“Some of them even had to spend the night in the hospital for the injuries sustained.
“Football has transmitted to the world an image far beyond the values and objectives it should always pursue.
“Our followers and fans deserve a response and relevant responsibilities must be taken so that conditions like the veteran are erased from football and sport forever.”
On Wednesday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darminin backtracked a bit in his defense of the final being handled by police.
President Emmanuel Macron was furious with the damage to France’s image, after mounting pressure admitted that “clearly things could have been handled better.”
However, Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan was not satisfied with his concession.
“My reaction to the French minister’s comments, as I said earlier in the week, is one of disbelief,” Hogan told the Liverpool website on Thursday.
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“The pain, the sadness, the loss, the hurt they suffered on Saturday, and now being told by a French minister that only Liverpool fans are the problem is just shameful.”
UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe, has submitted an independent report of what happened in the game.
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