Law firms representing almost 3,000 Liverpool supporters caught up in the chaos at last May’s Champions League final have said Uefa’s offer of a ticket refund does not go far enough and that they will press forwards with legal claims.
Uefa confirmed on Tuesday that Liverpool’s 19,618 Paris match ticket holders could be refunded. In response to the damning findings of the report it commissioned into the events surrounding the Stade de France. It pledged last month to launch a “special refund scheme.”
The report concluded that Uefa carries “primary responsibility” for the catastrophic organizational and safety failures that rendered the final a horrifying and traumatic experience for thousands of Liverpool and Real Madrid fans.
General admission tickets ranged from €70 to €690, and refunding Liverpool’s ticket allocation will cost Uefa approximately £3 million. Its general secretary, Theodore Theodoridis, said the initiative was “comprehensive and fair” and recognized fans’ “negative experiences”. He has previously apologized for what transpired.
Uefa stated, “The special refund scheme encompasses all 19,618 tickets allocated to Liverpool FC for the final.” It stated that it would “reimburse Liverpool FC the total value of these tickets. And the club will then process the reimbursements to its supporters.”
Three law firms representing Liverpool fans stated that the offer was insufficient.
They warned Uefa that they would sue for more than a ticket return. They have argued that under French law, the supporters are entitled to compensation for their physical and psychological injuries.
In response to Uefa’s announcement, Tony Winterburn, a partner at Pogust Goodhead who is leading the legal case against Uefa along with the Liverpool-based law firm Bingham, stated, “Digesting the fine details of this scheme will allow us to determine whether it is, in fact, “comprehensive and fair.” Although this is a step in the direction of Uefa acknowledging responsibility for the events. Our legal case is still moving forward.
“It is essential that the extent of our client’s physical and psychological injuries remain at the vanguard of this procedure. We believe that the term “refund” in its broadest sense does not go far enough in providing restitution. Or acknowledging the true harm endured by those who attended an event that should have been safe for all.”
Clare Campbell and Jill Paterson, partners at the law firm Leigh Day, which represents over 900 Liverpool supporters, stated, “What is required here is more than a ticket refund.” People were injured and traumatized as a result of Uefa’s interference with the season’s greatest football event, and any compensation must reflect this.
“We will move forward with our legal claim to seek appropriate compensation for our clients. And we are seeking an urgent response to a letter of claim we sent to Uefa stating the legal basis for the action.”
Some Madrid fans who bought tickets via their club and some spectators who purchased tickets. From the 12,000 available outside the club allocations will also be eligible for a refund. Fans must meet Uefa’s criteria to receive a refund, which covers those “most affected when entering the Stade de France.”
“All supporters with tickets for gates A, B, C, X, Y, and Z where the most difficult circumstances were reported will be eligible for refunds,” it stated. “In addition, all fans who according to the access control data did not enter the stadium before 21:00 CEST (the originally designated kick-off time), or who were not able to enter the stadium at all, will be eligible for a refund. Finally, Uefa will refund all fans who purchased accessibility tickets and their accompanying individuals.”
Fans experienced access delays, congestion, crushing, turnstile closures, brutal policing, and criminal assaults by local groups. Uefa said Paris crime victims could contact French officials.
Kevin Miles, CEO of the Football Supporters Association, called Uefa’s action “unprecedented and extremely welcome.” He lauded the efforts of Spirit of Shankly and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, who stated in a joint statement, “By promising to reimburse supporters, Uefa has partially acknowledged their role in the debacle. However, this does not excuse Uefa, exempt them from criticism, or reduce the need for them to implement all of the independent inquiry’s recommendations.”
