PARIS (Reuters) – Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin apologized on Tuesday for the “mismanagement” of security around the Stade de France during the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid on May 28 and said he had drawn the consequences by strengthening the fight against crime in Seine-Saint-Denis.
“I sincerely apologize to all those who have suffered from this mismanagement,” said Gérald Darmanin on RTL in response to a question on the subject.
“If there is something that has gone wrong at the Stade de France, it is the fight against delinquency” he estimated, specifying that he had since “changed the organization, (…) doubled the workforce, (…) given extremely clear instructions now to fight against all forms of crime in Seine-Saint-Denis and particularly around the Stade de France.”
The fight against crime in this area “must continue with much more firmness”, he added.
“It could have been done earlier, it’s true, I admit it very willingly”, conceded the minister, stressing that “the question of people” – in particular the prefect of police of Paris, Didier Lallement, whose management of the event was disputed – would come “after”.
“The prefect of police did his job that evening, but it is certain that we have a change of organization to make, that obviously does not mean that we have to attack this or that person” , said Gérald Darmanin.
Despite an imposing police force, dozens of people without tickets forced their way into the Stade de France for this final, while thousands of Liverpool supporters, in good standing, were blocked away and for some sprayed with tear gas, which led to the kick-off of the most watched match of the season in Europe being postponed by 36 minutes, winning 1-0 by the Madridians.
(Written by Myriam Rivet, edited by Nicolas Delame)
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