In a significant development, Gérald Darmanin, France's current justice minister and former interior minister, has publicly apologized to Liverpool FC supporters for the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the 2022 Champions League final at the Stade de France. This marks the first time he has openly acknowledged the missteps that contributed to the disastrous event, where Liverpool fans were wrongly blamed for a supposed riot.
Darmanin admitted that the security measures implemented during the match against Real Madrid were seriously flawed, stating, "It was a failure because I had not foreseen. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions." He emphasized that it was an "easy scapegoat" to blame English fans, asserting that he understands why they felt wronged by his previous comments.
The chaotic night saw Liverpool supporters subjected to tear gas while entering the stadium, with some falling victim to muggings by local youth gangs. Reflecting on the event in a recent interview, Darmanin referred to it as the "biggest failure" of his professional career, noting that the real issues stemmed not from fan behavior but from criminal activity targeting them.
Though initial claims from Darmanin and police chief Didier Lallement suggested that a crush at the stadium was due to Liverpool fans possessing fake tickets, these allegations were later debunked by an independent UEFA report. Darmanin expressed a need for better security designs, stating, "We had riot police… not great for running," indicating the forces were not adequately equipped to handle the actual risk presented that night.
Darmanin also touched upon broader concerns regarding safety in France, declaring, "there is no longer any safe place,” a statement that provoked criticism from various political factions. National Rally MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy condemned Darmanin's remarks, pointing out that he's been in government for years without significantly improving public safety.
As speculation swirls about Darmanin's political aspirations, he hinted at ambitions beyond his current role, confirming his desire to contribute positively to the nation's future.
