PARIS: French authorities’ failings have been blamed by a French Senate inquiry for the crowd chaos at the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in May at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

The kickoff had been delayed after aggressive police prevented fans with tickets from enter the venue.

Riot police sprayed tear gas on fans, including women and children. Liverpool fans, such as Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram, also said they were robbed by criminals from the local Paris Seine St Denis suburb.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has consistently said that one of the main problems was large numbers of Liverpool fans turning up without valid tickets, but the Senate report also highlighted other failings.

However Senator Laurent Lafon said: “Ticketing cannot be considered as the sole or main reason for the incidents. There was a lack of organisation between the different parties concerned.

Darmanin and French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera have apologised to supporters caught up in the trouble but maintained that many Liverpool supporters arrived with fake tickets – something denied by Liverpool fans.

The incident marred France’s image as a host of major sporting events, with Paris due to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup and 2024 Olympics.

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