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UEFA Champions League Final 2022: Independent Review Findings
28 February 2023
Lead MP
Ian Byrne
Liverpool West Derby
Lab
Responding Minister
Stuart Andrew
Tags
Culture, Media & Sport
Word Count: 3174
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Ian Byrne raised concerns about uefa champions league final 2022: independent review findings in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Ian Byrne urges the Government to apply political pressure on President Macron and Aleksander Čeferin, urging them to issue a full apology and implement all recommendations from the independent review report. He also calls on the Football Association to act in the best interests of English football supporters by pushing for these changes at UEFA.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Ian Byrne is concerned about the organisational failures of UEFA and the French authorities during the UEFA Champions League Final in Paris, which led to a dangerous situation for supporters. He highlights that the independent review report exonerates Liverpool supporters from any blame and places responsibility on UEFA and the French government for their disorganised approach to safety and security. Byrne also criticises the lack of accountability and apology from these organisations for their role in spreading lies and smears similar to those seen during the Hillsborough disaster.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
Alison McGovern expressed concern over the foreseeable nature of these events and worried that lessons might not be learned quickly enough due to a lack of attention to near misses in previous years. The MP thanked the Minister and expressed admiration for UK Government officials and diplomats who responded quickly to the difficult situation in Paris. She asked about the link between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Foreign Office regarding support for UK sports fans.
George Howarth agreed with Jim Shannon's remarks and stressed the necessity for UEFA and French authorities to be held accountable for their failures in managing the event and addressing subsequent risks.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon commended the hon. Member for his love of Liverpool and highlighted that no loss of life was a matter of divine providence, emphasizing the need for UEFA to make amends for the traumatic experiences of fans.
Margaret Greenwood supported the recommendation that UEFA should engage more proactively with disabled supporter organisations, stressing the importance of regular reporting on progress in this area.
Government Response
Stuart Andrew
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the personal impact of the events on Liverpool supporters and praised their faultless behaviour under extreme pressure. He welcomed UEFA's independent review, which highlighted serious mismanagement during the final, and committed to working with UEFA to ensure timely implementation of recommendations. The Minister noted regular engagement between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Foreign Office regarding fan safety at events like the World Cup. He also committed to further pressuring French Ministers on their response to the review findings. Looking ahead, he assured that lessons would be learned from past incidents to ensure safe hosting of future major international sporting events in the UK.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.