A reunion with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday reminds Liverpool fans of the failings that put their lives at risk at last year’s final in Paris. Madrid’s 1‑0 win at the Stade de France on May 28 was overshadowed by the chaotic scenes surrounding European football’s showpiece event. Kick‑off was delayed by 37 minutes as fans struggled to access the stadium after being funneled into overcrowded bottlenecks. Police then fired tear gas toward thousands of supporters locked behind metal fences on the perimeter.
An independent report commissioned by UEFA and published last week found the governing body bore “primary responsibility” for failures that “almost led to disaster”. Although there were no fatalities in the French capital, the lack of organisation before the match and the subsequent mud‑slinging toward supporters exacted a physical and mental toll. Ted Morris, chair of the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, described the scenes he witnessed as a “carnival of horror”. For many Liverpool fans, the images evoked memories of the 1989 Hillsborough crush that claimed 97 lives, leaving some still too scared to attend matches live, even at Anfield.
“I think we’re still all suffering from the aftereffects of the final,” said Joe Blott, chair of Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly, to AFP. “Many people I know are struggling to get to the game now as a consequence of the crowd management.” The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance has reported a spike in fans seeking mental‑health support since the Stade de France incident. Liverpool have partnered with mental‑health charities and allocated funding to help those experiencing flashbacks. “It’s vitally important that supporters know there is help out there if they feel they need it,” said Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan. “Working together with expert mental‑health organisations and with the support of director of public health Matt Ashton, this resource remains available to all fans. It not only signposts where to go for support but also offers advice to those dealing with the ongoing effects of such a distressing event.”
UEFA initially tried to blame the delayed kick‑off on Liverpool fans arriving late, despite thousands being held for hours outside the stadium. The governing body finally apologised last week, but wounds remain open among the Liverpool support. The Champions League anthem is expected to be disrupted before the kick‑off of Tuesday’s last‑16, first‑leg tie. “It’s good that the truth is out there,” said Gareth Robertson, a 25‑year‑old student outside Anfield on Monday. “But they (UEFA) tried to get away with blaming Liverpool fans.”
Local MP and Liverpool fan Ian Byrne has called on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to resign. Liverpool’s form on the field has also suffered this season, with the Champions League now the Reds’ last realistic chance of winning a trophy. Byrne believes Anfield’s famous atmosphere has been anaesthetised by the aftermath of Paris. “So many people are still damaged by what they experienced,” he told AFP. “I feel people are at the game under anaesthetic. It feels like all the passion has been sucked out.”
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