Steven Gerrard slams how Liverpool fans were treated at 2022 Champions League final against Real Madrid as a ‘disgrace’

Steven Gerrard has slammed how Liverpool fans were treated on the night of the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, labelling it “a disgrace” and calling for accountability to be shown.

The damning report uncovered a catalogue of errors from UEFA and the French authorities, including the police for “indiscriminately” firing tear gas and pepper spray that led to crushes outside the Stade de France before the showpiece match with Real Madrid.

The report also revealed a failure of organisations to work together and said “there was no Plan B when things went wrong”.

Speaking on BT Sport ahead of Liverpool taking on Real in this year’s Champions League in the Round of 16, Gerrard said the review was “very welcome”, adding: “It’s not good enough. I think the treatment on the night was a disgrace.

“I think it’s the only time as a pundit I’ve never really enjoyed being there. You know, we didn’t have signal inside the ground, no internet connection, we were getting the wrong information led to us, and there’s a lot of confusion.

“You have family and friends that are outside the stadium and the treatment was a disgrace, basically.

“But thankfully, the independent investigation has come clear and there’s no blame to Liverpool fans, which is very important.

“They [Liverpool fans] stick together, they try and help each other and they’re there for each other,” Gerrard continued.

“I think the important thing now moving forward is, there needs to be accountability. This investigation took too long, and now that it’s clear and the truth’s out there, someone needs to be held accountable and we’ll see what happens moving forward.”

“It just screams of prejudice,” said Rio Ferdinand, alongside Gerrard on BT Sport.

“For us to be in the stadium and to feel that, and we’re not even in the stands – we’re in a protected kind of area – but still didn’t feel kind of protected. We still felt quite vulnerable ourselves and we were nowhere near what the fans were feeling.