A group of Liverpool fans who took legal action against Uefa for the injury and distress suffered at the 2022 Champions League final have received compensation from European football’s governing body for the trauma to which they were subjected.
The settlement follows an independent report published in 2023 which concluded Uefa was to blame for the chaotic scenes which preceded the fixture between Liverpool and Real Madrid, when thousands of fans were put in serious distress – and in some cases injured – because of the poor organisation at the showpiece event at Stade de France.
Friday’s outcome concerns those fans represented by law firm Pogust Goodhead and Bingham Long, who said in a statement the settlement terms will remain confidential.
A separate hearing involving hundreds more Liverpool supporters represented by the law firm Leigh Day is scheduled for June.
“Uefa has already taken a number of steps following the 2022 final, including implementing recommendations from the independent review and establishing a special refund scheme,” Uefa said in a statement.
“Today, it has gone further by ensuring that Liverpool fans represented by Pogust Goodhead and Bingham Long receive a sum by way of compensation in relation to the difficulties and challenges that they were confronted with.
“The parties have agreed the terms of this statement but that the terms of the settlement will otherwise remain confidential. The settlement agreement has been made without any admission of liability. Uefa is pleased to have reached a common position which it is hoped provides closure for the fans. Uefa will be making no further comment.”
The damning independent report into the final stated that Uefa’s poor organisation, combined with the ‘defective’ policing by the French, endangered the lives of Liverpool and Real Madrid fans who attended the game.
Terms of the deal will ‘remain confidential’ and Uefa stressed the settlement has been made ‘without any admission of liability’
