The French sport minister’s top adviser has resigned after only a week on the job, in the aftermath of the chaos during last week’s Champions League final in Paris.
Philippe Mahe, who was appointed as Amelie Oudea-adviser Castera’s in late May, left her office this week by’mutual agreement,’ according to local media.
The session was set so she and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin could be quizzed about the mayhem during the athletic event on Saturday night.
Both attempted to blame the problems on Liverpool supporters and what they called “industrial-scale ticket fraud,” while exonerating organizers, police, and stewards.
Mr Mahe’s departure was initially reported by the French news site Le Telegramme, which stated that he will leave by the end of next week.
Ms Oudea-Castera came to public attention when Liverpool fans protested about unsafe conditions at Saturday’s Champions League final versus Real Madrid at the Stade de France.
Supporters stated they waited for hours in suffocated lines to enter the stadium while being beaten and robbed by local troublemakers.
The game had to be postponed twice due to the pandemonium, with police eventually using tear gas to restore order.
According to French authorities, some 2,700 people who had valid tickets for the game were unable to take their seats.
Ms Oudea-Castera and Mr Darmanin immediately attempted to blame the chaos on fans, claiming that up to 45,000 had arrived with fake tickets and then attacked police and stewards when they were denied entry.
Fans’ behavior was exemplary, according to fan groups, lawyers, UK police observers, and even French officials who helped organize other parts of the event, and poor organization was to blame.
The French government is especially keen to avoid criticism for how it handled the event as it prepares to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the Olympics in 2024.
Ms Oudea-Castera and Mr Darmanin were called before the Senate on Thursday to explain their reasons, and they continued to blame a “small portion of Liverpool’s supporters” who “pose public order problems.”
Mr Darmanin did admit to organizational flaws during the game, and he apologized for the ‘disproportionate’ use of tear gas, vowing that officers would be sanctioned.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to deflect criticism, Oudea-Castera highlighted crowd trouble at Wembley Stadium last year during the Euros final between England and Italy.
‘We need to remember everything,’ Oudea-Castera said at the hearing.
Senators were not convinced by their reasoning, and Real Madrid today joined Liverpool in demanding that authorities accept full responsibility for the disaster.
In a statement published ‘in defence of supporters’, Madrid said its fans had been left at the mercy of looters near the stadium and demanded to know ‘who was responsible for leaving the fans helpless and defenceless.’
‘What should have been a great celebration of football for all the fans who attended the game turned into unfortunate events that have caused deep outrage around the world,’ the club said.
‘As has been clearly seen in the revealing images offered by the media, many of the fans were violently assaulted, harassed and robbed.
‘Some (of these) events also took place when they were driving in their cars or on buses, fearing for their physical well-being.
‘Some of them even had to spend the night in the hospital for injuries received.
‘Football has transmitted to the world an image far removed from the values and objectives that it must always pursue.
‘Our followers and fans deserve a response and that the relevant responsibilities be taken so that situations like the ones experienced are eradicated forever from football and sport.’
UEFA, Europe’s governing body of football, has commissioned an independent investigation into what occurred at the game.