Ex-Uefa official salutes Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool ‘outburst’
Jurgen Klopp is “100 per cent” right to call on Uefa to guarantee the safety of fans after the scenes before the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Uefa referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Klopp’s latest “outburst”.
As quoted by BBC Sport last week (11 July), Klopp insisted fans must be protected by Uefa going forward.
The kick-off in Paris was delayed by over half an hour after police and officials stopped Liverpool fans from entering the stadium despite having legitimate tickets.
The 55-year-old also criticised the response by Uefa in the immediate aftermath as they blamed the behaviour of fans.
“I’m pleased and I support Jurgen Klopp’s outburst,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It needed to be said. I said from minute one, this was not the fans’ fault, it’s Uefa’s.
“If Liverpool were responsible they would have been fined and punished but Uefa get nothing.
“They’re saying the stadium people are at fault. Ultimately, the safety of players and fans in a competition run by Uefa is Uefa.
“Therefore Klopp, a very educated and articulate guy, has got my 100 per cent support. Any competition around the world has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its fans.
“In Europe, there are no doubts that the security of the pitch itself can be pretty explosive and we’ve seen that with truncheons going in on spectators.
“Uefa are responsible for picking the stadium, I know there were special circumstances, and making sure it was safe and secure.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a “scandalous” Liverpool claim amid the latest from France.