UEFA have confirmed they will refund Liverpool supporters who bought tickets for the chaotic 2022 Champions League final in Paris, following an independent report that placed “primary responsibility” for the disorder on European football’s governing body.
The final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France was delayed by 36 minutes after thousands of fans were trapped outside the stadium in dangerous conditions. Supporters were penned in, exposed to tear gas and faced severe congestion as they attempted to enter the venue.
UEFA announced that the refund scheme will cover the entire Liverpool FC ticket allocation for the final, amounting to 19,618 tickets.
“We have taken into account a huge number of views expressed both publicly and privately and we believe we have devised a scheme that is comprehensive and fair,” said UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis.
“We value the input from Liverpool FC supporter organisations, including Spirit of Shankly and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, as well as the open and transparent dialogue throughout this period.
“We recognise the negative experiences of those supporters on the day and with this scheme we will refund fans who had bought tickets and who were the most affected by the difficulties in accessing the stadium.”
Because Liverpool supporters purchased their tickets directly through the club rather than UEFA, Liverpool FC will administer the refund process on UEFA’s behalf.
In the immediate aftermath of the final, UEFA and French authorities initially blamed ticketless fans for the disorder. However, the independent report commissioned by UEFA after the 28 May final found “no evidence” to support those claims, describing them as “reprehensible”.
The report concluded that it was “remarkable no one lost their life” and said the collective behaviour of Liverpool supporters was “probably instrumental” in preventing more serious injuries or fatalities. It also made 21 recommendations aimed at ensuring such failures are not repeated at future major sporting events.
Spirit of Shankly and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters’ Association welcomed the decision to issue refunds, describing it as “unprecedented”.
“With a promise to reimburse supporters, UEFA have gone some way to acknowledging their part in the fiasco,” the groups said in a joint statement.
“But it does not excuse UEFA, exempt them from criticism or lessen the need for them to implement all of the recommendations made by the independent inquiry.
“We will work alongside Liverpool and publish details once we know how and when refunds will be processed.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, whose side lost the final 1-0 to Real Madrid, said it was “super important” that the club’s supporters had been fully exonerated over the events that unfolded before kick-off in Paris.
