A compensation agreement has been reached between UEFA and Liverpool fans injured ahead of the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.
Pogust Goodhead and Bingham Long, the law firms representing the Liverpool supporters, has confirmed a “full and final settlement” has been agreed following UEFA’s compensation offer.
The terms will “remain confidential” and UEFA states the settlement has been made “without any admission of liability”.
The legal action was launched in August 2022, with the firms acting on behalf of fans who had experienced physical and psychological harm at the final in Paris. The claims related to a breach of contract and negligence.
The 2022 final, held at the Stade de France, was marred by chaos outside the ground, as Liverpool fans were trapped in bottlenecks and tear gassed by police as they struggled to enter the stadium. Kick-off for the match was delayed by 30 minutes.
An independent review commission by UEFA and which published its findings in February 2023, compared the scenes in Paris to those at Hillsborough for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, when 97 Liverpool fans were killed in crushes. The review added that it was “remarkable that no one lost their life” in Paris.
Gerard Long, Managing Director of Bingham Long, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement for compensation for supporters of Liverpool Football Club that were impacted by the events surrounding the Champions League Final in May 2022. As a local firm, it was important for us to be able to report back to them that we had resolved the matter without lengthy legal proceedings, and they will receive some compensation.
“I would like to make clear that no deduction will be taken from my clients’ damages and that they will therefore receive 100% of the compensation received as part of this settlement.”
A UEFA statement read: “UEFA has today concluded a full and final settlement with those Liverpool fans represented by Pogust Goodhead and Bingham Long and who have raised personal injury claims in respect of their experiences at the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final that took place in Paris.
“The parties have agreed the terms of this statement but that the terms of the settlement will otherwise remain confidential. The settlement agreement has been made without any admission of liability. UEFA is pleased to have reached a common position which it is hoped provides closure for the fans. UEFA will be making no further comment in relation to the same.”
Last year’s independent review into the events found UEFA should “bear primary responsibility for failures which almost led to a disaster”.
UEFA announced last March it was issuing refunds to all Liverpool supporters who attended the final, which Real Madrid won 1-0.
(Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
Read the full article here