Ex-Fifa official: Heads should roll after latest twist in Liverpool controversy
The Uefa officials involved who produced a statement blaming fans for the scenes before Real Madrid’s victory over Liverpool in last season’s Champions League final should be sacked, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after the latest twist in the controversy.
The Guardian reported last week (21 September) that a statement that claimed the late arrival of fans caused the scenes was prepared a “considerable time” before the game.
The game was delayed by around half an hour despite fans arriving up to three hours before kick-off.
Real Madrid eventually ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Vinicius Jr goal.
“You can pre-plan but what they should be pre-planning is about prevention not about the punishment after,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“For me, I cannot ever remember Uefa making such a mess of something. Maybe that’s down to change of personnel. They have stadium controllers.
“Let’s face it, they made a complete mess in terms of the planning in relation to this particular game.
“Lots of people suffered, they weren’t just Liverpool fans, fans generally suffered and media people suffered the same.
“They’ve got to learn the lessons. Those people that started the planning in that way, well, they should be kicked out of their role.
“What surprises me is I’ve not seen any major statements contradicting what’s being said. Uefa, normally from a press point of view, are pretty quick at responding.
“Is that silence an admittance of guilt?”
In other news, Liverpool have a secret weapon in the race to sign Jude Bellingham after a journalist’s update.