Liverpool fans awarded damages by Uefa over final chaos

The agreement relates to Liverpool supporters - previous reported as a total of 1,450 claimants - who were represented in a lawsuit by global law company Pogust Goodhead and Liverpool law firm Bingham Long

A group of Liverpool fans have been awarded compensation by Uefa after claiming they were injured or left with psychological trauma in chaotic scenes at the 2022 Champions League final.

Uefa were found to bear “primary responsibility” for what almost led to a “mass fatality catastrophe” in Paris.

Fans were penned in and sprayed with tear gas outside the Stade de France as kick-off was delayed by 36 minutes.

On Friday, Uefa said it had agreed “a full and final settlement” with fans.

The agreement relates to Liverpool supporters – previous reported as a total of 1,450 claimants – who were represented in a lawsuit by global law company Pogust Goodhead and Liverpool law firm Bingham Long.

Both Uefa and the legal teams said the amount of compensation received by the fans would remain confidential.

The supporters had “accepted” and “welcomed” the offer, said their legal firms.

Liverpool played Real Madrid in May 2022 for the prize of being crowned European champions.

Many Reds fans spoke of long queues in the hours leading up to the game, which Liverpool went on to lose 1-0, and a heavy-handed police response to the build-up of supporters unable to enter the Stade de France.

Fans were tear-gassed by police, while also being attacked and robbed by local people allowed to congregate nearby.

Uefa and French authorities initially blamed ticketless fans for the events.

In February 2023, the independent report announced it had found Uefa responsible for “chaotic scenes” which “almost led to disaster”.

The report drew parallels with the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, when 97 Liverpool supporters died at their side’s FA Cup semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest after being crushed because of overcrowding.

“The parties have agreed the terms of this statement, but that the terms of the settlement will otherwise remain confidential,” said Uefa, which organises Champions League matches as the governing body of European football.

“The settlement agreement has been made without any admission of liability.

“Uefa is pleased to have reached a common position which it is hoped provides closure for the fans.”

Original article published 22.03.2024 on the BBC Sport website.

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