In a recent development, Gérald Darmanin, France’s former interior minister, has issued a formal apology to Liverpool football fans regarding the tumultuous events that transpired during the 2022 UEFA Champions League final held at the Stade de France. This incident, where Liverpool played against Real Madrid, became infamous due to mismanaged security and subsequent blaming of the English fans for the chaos that ensued.
Darmanin, who has since transitioned to the role of justice minister, admitted the shortcomings in the security arrangements that night, stating that his earlier assertions — which held Liverpool fans accountable for the riots — were misguided. He expressed regret for this misjudgment, saying, “It was a failure because I had not foreseen. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions.” This candid acknowledgment of error marks a significant shift, as many Liverpool supporters felt unfairly targeted and hurt by the initial government response.
In his apology, Darmanin stated that the fans deserved an acknowledgment of their suffering. He reflected on how easy it was to cast Liverpool supporters as scapegoats in the aftermath of such a public spectacle, which only compounded their distress. He emphasized, “I apologise now to Liverpool supporters. They were quite right to be hurt. It was a mistake and a failure.”
During the Champions League final, tear gas was used against Liverpool fans, leading to further violence as groups of local youths targeted supporters for theft. In an interview with a prominent YouTube channel, Darmanin described that fateful night as “the biggest failure” of his career and explained his critical oversights. He remarked that he underestimated the nature of the threats that evening — suggesting the disorder stemmed not from the English fans, but from criminals preying upon them.
Darmanin’s admission included reflections on the inadequacies of security protocols that night. He noted the police were equipped to deal with potential football hooligans rather than the opportunistic acts of theft. “What I did not appreciate that evening was that the real problem was not coming from English supporters, but from delinquents who were robbing fans,” he lamented. This admission starkly contrasts the initial claims made just after the event, where Darmanin and police chief Didier Lallement indicated that Liverpool fans with fake tickets contributed to the crushing chaos outside the stadium. These claims were later challenged and dismissed in an independent report commissioned by UEFA.
Furthermore, in expanding his comments, Darmanin highlighted broader concerns about safety in France, stating that “there is no longer any safe place.” This remark elicited backlash from right-wing political opponents who criticized his governance and handling of public safety issues since 2017, when President Emmanuel Macron first took office. National Rally MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy chastised Darmanin for what he perceived as treating the French citizenry with disrespect while making grandiose statements amid tangible safety failures.
Darmanin, 42 years old and affiliated with the political right, left room for speculation regarding his potential candidacy for the presidency in 2027. He acknowledged, “Do I think of the presidential election? The answer is yes,” though he was careful to hedge his statements by emphasizing a desire to improve the country’s circumstances.
This saga serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability not only in high-stakes events like the Champions League final but also in the realms of politics and public safety. As the echoes of the past resonate within current dialogues about security, many hope that Darmanin’s apology and his acknowledgment of failings signify a path toward rectifying such systemic issues that have plagued France’s approach to law enforcement and public events.