Erwan Le Prevost said footage is ‘automatically destroyed’
Footage of scenes outside the Stade de France ahead of the Champions League final on May 28, described as “extremely violent”, has reportedly been deleted.
Liverpool supporters were tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed outside the stadium by police ahead of the final between the Reds and Real Madrid at the Stade de France on 28 May.
French authorities initially blamed late arrivals and fake tickets for overcrowding and terrifying scenes before the match between the two sides.
The match was delayed by 36 minutes, with footage shared on social media showing the extent of the issues outside the stadium in Paris.
Didier Lallement, the person in charge of policing the final, apologised for using tear gas against Liverpool fans outside the stadium. He offered ‘sincere regrets’ for the trouble outside the ground and admitted failures in the security operation.
Just to be clear, there is a seven-day limit on the reclamation of municipal CCTV footage in France. If not requested by the judiciary within seven days, footage is deleted.
It is a tactic actively used by the state to avoid consequences for its violent policing.
— Daniel Austin (@_Dan_Austin) June 9, 2022
CCTV footage has been destroyed
However, French outlet RMC Sport report that Erwan Le Prevost, director of international relations at the French Football Federation, says that CCTV footage of the events has been destroyed.
“The images are available for seven days. They are then automatically destroyed,” Le Prevost explained.
“We needed a requisition to provide them to the different populations. The images are extremely violent.”
Liverpool metro mayor speaks with Le Prevost
Le Prevost was speaking at a senate meeting to further investigate the circumstances with Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram in attendance via video link.
Rotheram is quoted as telling the senate: “Mrs Oudea-Castera [French sports minister] and Mr Darmanin [French interior minister] have set up a false version which serves the interests of the French authorities.
“It’s like with the Hillsborough disaster, they put the blame on the fans.”
Related links:
- Paris police chief finally apologises for tear gassing Liverpool fans before Champions League final
- Merseyside police defend ‘exemplary’ Liverpool fans tear gassed by French police
- France Interior Minister blames Liverpool fans for Champions League final trouble
