Posted on 6th July 2022
On Saturday thousands of Manchester City fans descended upon Istanbul to watch their team win the Champions League for the first time – but the organisation around the fixture has been heavily criticised.
UEFA confirm panel for Champions League final investigation
UEFA have confirmed the panel for their investigation into the events surrounding the 2022 Champions League final held in Paris.
Dr Tiago Brandão Rodrigues will lead a review into the problems that arose at the Stade De France before Liverpool and Real Madrid’s Champions League final in May.
UEFA and the French authorities have been subject to intense criticism for their handling of the flagship event which was marred by poor organisation – where supporters experienced over-zealous policing, poor crowd management, failing turnstiles and dangerous levels of crowd congestion.
Now Dr Rodrigues has made key appointments to assist him with the investigation, after consulting with both finalist clubs.
“The events of 28th May were distressing for everyone involved,” Dr Rodrigues said. “This review aims to look at the evidence dispassionately and to identify responsibilities and ways forward.
“I am very pleased with the responsiveness of the experts we have contacted, and I am confident we can make a significant contribution to future events’ planning.”
As a result, Frank Paauw and Kenny Scott have been appointed as lead experts on Dr Rodrigues’s panel.
Frank Paauw, 63, has been the chief of police in Amsterdam since 2019 and is a recognised expert in football policing, public order, contingency planning, and crisis management.
Kenny Scott, 65, was recommended by both Real Madrid and Liverpool and is a former UK police chief superintendent, serving for more than 30 years in Strathclyde Police before heading up the security and operations division for Glasgow Rangers. He served as the head of safety and security operations at UEFA from 2017 until February 2021.
Both experts have, at various times, served as UEFA security officers for individual club competition matches.
Dr Rodrigues, Scott and Paauw will also be consulting more widely to gather evidence and expert opinion – including from supporter representatives:
- Pete Weatherby QC – human rights barrister
- Clifford Stott – crowd management and policing consultant
- Ronan Evain – executive director, Football Supporters Europe
- Kevin Miles – chief executive, Football Supporters’ Association
- Emilio Abejon – secretary genarel of FASFE (National Supporters’ Organisation – Spain)
Preliminary findings are expected at the end of September 2022 and the final report will be published by November 2022.
