UEFA, football’s European governing body, has issued an apology to fans who witnessed “frightening and distressing events” in the build-up to the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France on May 28.
Last week, UEFA commissioned an independent review into the events surrounding the final, which was delayed by more than half an hour as thousands of fans remained outside of the Stade de France.
Some fans queued outside for more than two hours, while videos circulated on social media showed police using pepper spray and tear gas as supporters tried to scan their tickets at the stadium turnstiles.
Liverpool immediately called for a formal investigation to be carried out over what it described as the “unacceptable” treatment of its supporters. On Friday, Real Madrid issued its own statement, which said that several fans were “attacked, harassed, assaulted and robbed in violent fashion”. Real Madrid said that its fans and supporters “deserve a response” and has called for those responsible to be held accountable.
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