Gérald Darmanin, currently serving as France’s justice minister, has issued a formal apology to Liverpool fans for wrongfully blaming them for the disorder that occurred during the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. Reflecting on the chaos, Darmanin, who was interior minister at the time, described the night as “the biggest failure” of his political career.
The final, held at the Stade de France on May 28, 2022, descended into chaos as Liverpool supporters—including families and children—were subjected to heavy-handed policing. Many fans were trapped in confined areas and bottlenecked at narrow entry points, creating a dangerous and overwhelming situation. In the aftermath, French authorities initially placed blame on the fans, falsely accusing them of inciting violence and attempting to storm the stadium with fake tickets.
Darmanin now acknowledges those accusations were unfounded and unjust, apologizing for the treatment fans endured and for making them a scapegoat for a poorly managed event. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and eventually led to an independent investigation that pointed to serious organizational failures by French police and UEFA.
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