• Gérald Darmanin apologizes to Liverpool fans for previous misstatements about the 2022 Champions League final.
• Security failures are highlighted as the primary cause for chaos outside the Stade de France.
• Darmanin admits to being misled by preconceived notions regarding English fans.
• Independent reports and a Senate inquiry have recommended accountability for the incident.
• The apology marks a significant acknowledgment of the distress caused to supporters during the event.

Former French interior minister Gérald Darmanin has issued an apology to Liverpool supporters for the mismanagement of security at the 2022 Champions League final held at the Stade de France. The minister admitted that "we got the measures wrong" during an interview, acknowledging that there were major flaws in the policing operation, specifically during the chaotic scenes that preceded the match, which was delayed by 37 minutes due to crowd congestion. This admission comes after years of controversy, during which Darmanin had initially scapegoated Liverpool fans for the disorder, falsely alleging that many had arrived without tickets, according to Le Monde.

Darmanin, who now serves as the justice minister, described that night as "the biggest failure" of his career, emphasizing that the real dangers stemmed not from fans but from "delinquents" who were robbing supporters outside the stadium. His reassessment points to a troubling lapse where preconceived ideas about hooliganism led to inadequate security measures, which subsequently put fans at risk. "The culprit was easy (to designate), and I apologize to Liverpool fans," he stated, reflecting on the unwarranted blame placed on supporters, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

During the event, fans reported severe mishandling by the police, including the use of tear gas and being funneled into dangerous bottlenecks. Multiple investigations have since indicated that these poor security arrangements were to blame for the chaos. An independent report concluded that the European football governing body UEFA bore "primary responsibility" for the failures, highlighting the lack of necessary precautions that almost led to disaster, according to Le Monde, BBC, and Channel News Asia.

The ramifications of this incident continue as Liverpool fans have brought lawsuits against UEFA for the injuries and distress caused during the event. The acknowledgment of failings from officials like Darmanin may play a crucial role in the ongoing discourse surrounding accountability in sports safety, underscoring the importance of effective security measures to protect fans, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.