Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and English football culture have been held responsible for the Champions League final chaos for Reds fans in Paris by France’s interior minister.
However, Gerald Darmanin’s claims of 40,000 fake tickets causing the problem have been labelled ‘fanciful’, as eyewitness accounts continue to argue faulty turnstiles and police aggression were at fault.
UEFA have launched an investigation after thousands of fans with tickets were held up in giant bottleneck queues and French authorities sprayed tear gas at peaceful supporters, including children.
It forced the showpiece event at the Stade de France, which Real Madrid eventually won 1-0, to be delayed by 36 minutes.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has revealed tickets he gave to friends and family were not recognised at the turnstiles, while it is thought around 2,700 fans with genuine tickets were stuck outside.
But French interior minister Darmanin has claimed 70 per cent of tickets held by Reds supporters were forged, highlighting Klopp’s pre-match comments and previous incidents involving English fans when explaining the fiasco at a press conference on Monday.
Speaking at the French Ministry of Sport, Darmanin said: “It is only in football with certain English clubs that there are these problems.
“The presence of so many British fans without tickets already happened, notably in 2019 in Madrid. And it created similar types of difficulties. There were the same issues at Wembley last year [at the Euro 2020 final].
“The behaviour, the disorganisation and a huge market in fake tickets. And I remind you that the coach of Liverpool a few days ago called for fans to come to France even without tickets.
“And we found ourselves with tens and thousands of British fans of whom a part has fully respected and bought tickets or went to the dedicated fan zone.
“I remind you that there were tens of thousands of fans in the fan zone without problem. They have respected the rules. But there was a smaller but active part that clashed with our security system.”
Liverpool were allocated less than 20,000 tickets for the 81,000-seater stadium and, speaking before the match, Klopp said Paris was ‘big enough’ to host plenty of supporters.
“It’s the only bad thing about the journey. It’s massive, what they ask for,” he said.
“I really hope they all can make it somehow and create – of course they will – an incredible atmosphere. It’s nice.
“So if you don’t get a ticket – I don’t want to invite people to Paris but this time it is big enough. I did last time for Basel (the 2016 Europa League final) and the whole of Switzerland was like this (face palms) but I think Paris is big enough to go there without a ticket and have a good time. Behave yourself but be in the best possible mood.
“If you cannot go there, enjoy it here in any kind of surrounding. What I love about this game is that the world will be red or white. Everybody will be either/or and it makes it a proper final.”
Ronan Evain, head of the Football Supporters Europe association who was at the game, insists claims of 40,000 fake tickets being in circulation are ‘completely fanciful’.
Meanwhile, Pierre Barthelemy, a lawyer representing French Liverpool fans, went a step further and described Darmanin’s comments as part of a smear campaign against English fans which ‘does not correspond with what everyone has seen’.
Darmanin’s version of events also fails to include widespread reporting of trouble faced by Real Madrid fans at the other end of the stadium.
Offer Of The Day
Bet365 – Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets* – CLAIM HERE
Open account offer. Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply 18+ Begambleaware.org
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest For News Update Click Here
