Liverpool news: Whelan lambasts chiefs after new twist in controversy
Noel Whelan has urged Uefa and the French authorities to “stand up and take accountability” for the “lack of organisation” which saw Liverpool fans pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed at the Champions League final.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Reds fans “did nothing wrong” from what he had seen of the chaos at France’s national stadium.
The French police used pepper spray and tear gas on supporters prior to the delayed Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid at the Stade de France last Saturday (28 May).
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has claimed that some Liverpool fans posed a public safety risk and insisted no similar incidents occurred within the Real Madrid fan’s section.
However, the Spanish giants released a statement on Friday (3 June) confirming their supporters were victims of “violent assaults”.
Los Blancos called for “answers and explanations to determine who was responsible for leaving the fans helpless and defenceless”.
Whelan slammed the “heavy-handed policing” which has seen scores of fans struggle to deal with the distressing scenes in the aftermath.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Look, they were always going to pass on the blame.
“It looks like that blame is going to the Liverpool fans. From all the clips I’ve seen, the Liverpool fans have done nothing wrong.
“It was just another example of heavy-handed policing, not enough turnstiles being open. It’s just shambolic.
“It was the first time we’ve seen a Champions League final delayed.
“That’s not down to the Liverpool fans. That’s just a lack of organisation from Uefa and the French authorities.
“They can’t pass the buck.
“Uefa just need to stand up and take accountability for not doing things right.”
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