Former Paris Police Chief: 2022 Champions League final security chaos damages the country s image, causing me to resign

On May 28, 2022, Saint-Denis Stadium was supposed to usher in a football feast, with Liverpool and Real Madrid's Champions League final.

The final, originally scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg, was changed to a happy football event. However, it turned into a nightmare, leaving painful memories for English fans.

On the same day, a large number of fans flocked to the stadium, some of whom did not even have tickets, resulting in severe crowds at the scene. The security check process was greatly delayed, and the endless queues and pushing made the tension escalate. The police were completely unable to control the situation and the game was forced to postpone the kick-off for half an hour. Many fans reported being attacked and dangerously pushed, and the scene was in chaos. Didier Lale Mans, then chief of the Paris Police Department, admitted afterward: "It was obviously a failure because people were pushed or attacked under the security we promised. It also damaged the image of the country." He had retired several weeks later, but still regretted the incident that night. Home Minister Jeral Dalmanen also apologized to Liverpool fans for the first time in May last year, admitting his mistakes in preparations and apologizing.

Didier La Le Mans looked back at the May 2022 night after retirement, and admitted on RTL Radio: "We always regret something and feel that we can do better. What I think of is the French Stadium incident because I left after that failure, which deeply affected me."

Last May, Interior Minister Gerald Dalmanen apologized to Liverpool fans for the first time. He said on Legend: "This is a failure because I was not prepared, it was my mistake, I did not fully verify the situation. I was misled by preconceived ideas. This responsibility is easy to shift, but I still have to apologize to the Liverpool fans."