French government says 'there was no drama' at soccer final, despite crowd trouble

Record ID: 1675215

  • Title: French government says 'there was no drama' at soccer final, despite crowd trouble
  • Date: 1st June 2022
  • Summary: SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE (MAY 28, 2022) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS PROFANITY*** FANS SHOUTING AT POLICE THROUGH FENCE FANS WAITING OUTSIDE FENCE
  • Embargoed: 15th June 2022 12:14
  • Keywords: British fans Champions League Liverpool football scuffles soccer tear gas
  • Location: PARIS AND SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE
  • City: PARIS AND SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA003205701062022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The French government said on Wednesday (June 1) "there was no drama" at last weekend's Champions League soccer final in Paris, which was marred by crowd trouble, as it faces mounting criticism over its handling of the showpiece match.
    "Has there been drama so far? The answer is no. Can we improve things, especially with coming sports competitions in sight? Certainly," government spokesperson Olivia Gregoire told reporters.
    The May 28 match at the Stade de France, in which Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0, was delayed by more than half an hour after police tried to hold off people attempting to force their way into the ground. Some fans, including children, were tear-gassed by French riot police.
    The incident comes as major international sports events are set to be held in France, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
    Gregoire said the government apologises to fans who were not able to attend the match despite having valid tickets and to those who had to leave in unsatisfactory conditions amid the scuffles.
    France's interior and sports ministers are set to discuss the incident in a French Senate hearing later on Wednesday.
    (Production: Ardee Napolitano)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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