Paris (AFP) – Pressure was growing Friday on French authorities after the surprise revelation CCTV footage from the Stade de France during the Champions League final last month has been deleted, with critics alleging a deliberate cover-up. The French Football Federation revealed Thursday to a commission at the French Senate the images had been destroyed […]

Paris (AFP) – CCTV footage from the Stade de France during the Champions League final last month has been deleted, a commission at the French Senate investigating the fiasco heard on Thursday. The French football federation (FFF) revealed video surveillance from the ground had been destroyed — in line with French law that stipulates it […]

Paris (AFP) – The chief of the Paris police acknowledged Thursday the "failure" of security operations for the Champions League final last month, when crowd control problems, tear gas and street crime marred the biggest night in European club football. "It is obviously a failure," Didier Lallement told a commission investigating the fiasco at the […]

Paris (AFP) – French authorities tried to deflect blame and scapegoat Liverpool fans after their "incompetence" caused chaos at the Champions League final last month, the mayor of the Liverpool region told AFP Thursday. Steve Rotheram, who is set to testify to a French Senate commission by video link later Thursday, said fans were still […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool and Real Madrid fans who were victims of crime at the Champions League final have been told they can file complaints to the French authorities. Numerous supporters attending Real's 1-0 win against Liverpool at the Stade de France on May 28 have alleged they were attacked by gangs of local youths […]

Lausanne (AFP) – UEFA apologised to spectators for the first time on Friday for their "frightening and distressing" experience ahead of the Champions League final, saying no football fan should go through such mayhem. Thousands of supporters were unable to access European club football's showpiece match between despite having genuine tickets, in chaotic scenes that […]

Paris (AFP) – French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin came under pressure on Wednesday over the chaos that marred the Champions League final at the weekend between Liverpool and Real Madrid which he has blamed on ticket scams. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused him of lying and said he should resign after he defended […]

Paris (AFP) – UEFA and the French football federation estimate that 2,800 'fake tickets' were scanned at the Champions League final, a source said Tuesday. The two bodies gave that estimation at a crisis meeting on Monday at the French sports ministry, the source said. That meeting was convened to examine what was behind the […]

Paris (AFP) – French security services warned authorities of the risk of 50,000 fans without tickets or with fake ones two days before the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris marred by chaotic scenes, according to a document seen by AFP Tuesday. The French government has faced a barrage of criticism […]

Paris (AFP) – Liverpool supporter Daniel Austin was looking forward to a memorable night at the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Instead, "it became one of the worst experiences of my life," he told AFP. What he and thousands of fans experienced on Saturday points to a series of worrying failings in the organisation […]

Paris (AFP) – France on Monday blamed massive ticket fraud for the chaotic scenes that marred the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid that raised questions over the capacity of Paris to host the 2024 Olympics. The French government has faced a barrage of criticism from press and politicians in Britain over police […]

Paris (AFP) – The Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool in Paris on Saturday was preceded by chaotic scenes. Supporters from both clubs trying to get into the Stade de France were funnelled into narrow channels to have their tickets checked, causing fears of a crush. As kickoff approached thousands of Liverpool fans […]

Paris (AFP) – French authorities and UEFA faced questions Sunday over the handling of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris which descended into scenes of chaos before kick-off as English fans struggled to enter the stadium. Liverpool called for an investigation into the treatment of their supporters ahead of the […]

Paris (AFP) – European football governing body UEFA blamed "fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles" for a delay of over half an hour to the start of Saturday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris. UEFA said French police had fired tear gas to disperse thousands of frustrated fans […]

Paris (AFP) – Britain's Neal Skupski will put his French Open doubles title dreams on hold for a few hours Saturday in the hope of watching his beloved Liverpool defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris. But Skupski, winner of a tour-leading four titles this year with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof, says […]