Liverpool fans hit back at report

Last Modified: 04 Jun 2007
Source: ITN

Liverpool supporters have hit back at a report that's named them as the worst-behaved fans at European matches.

Uefa will hand the report to sports minister Richard Caborn this week and he will read accusations that Liverpool fans have stolen tickets from each other, even snatching them from children.

The dossier claims to detail 25 incidents involving Liverpool fans over the last four years and it comes days after the European Cup final in Athens where the Reds' supporters charged the gates and caused trouble outside the ground.

Liverpool have complained about the way ticket allocations and security were handled.

Liverpool's Lord Mayor Paul Clark said: "Uefa appear to be trying to avoid the blame for the disorganisation of the final.

"To make matters worse, instead of looking at their own faults Uefa are blaming the people of Liverpool. Saying this is typical of Liverpool fans is unfair and reflects badly on the image of the city."

Les Lawson, spokesman for the official LFC supporters' club, said: "This is typical of Uefa. Rather than look at their own shortcomings, they want to shove the blame somewhere else.

"The fact they are not willing to stand up and take responsibility is worrying for fans, because that means they will never learn from their mistakes."

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "Uefa is dragging Liverpool's name through the mud to deflect attention from themselves. Big governing bodies like Uefa always look for scapegoats and never accept any blame.

"There should be a full and appropriate investigation. There is very little information about what actually went wrong.

"It was only a small minority who caused problems but the people at the top of Uefa think they have the divine right to criticise people."

Phil Hammond, of the Hillsborough Justice Support Group, added: "We condemn the behaviour of some fans, but it was not helped by the way the police acted, they made it worse. Uefa are not justified in making these comments."

A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "The shortcomings in the management of the situation in Athens was apparent to anyone who was there. These latest comments from Uefa should not deflect attention from the reality."

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