Everyone has their own opinion on this. Rather than have my say first off, I thought I would see what reaction it got from other people.
Undoubtedly, some Liverpool fans did not help themselves or indeed the reputation of the club. There was some trouble and there were apparently 'incidents' where fans had their tickets stolen. I think though it is typical of a big organisation like
UEFA to lay the blame at someone else's door. The dossier isnt due for release until tomorrow yet they have leaked information to the press and struck the first blow.
Rather than being an independant, unbiased assessment of the circumstances it seems
UEFA has already decided who is to blame for the scenes in Athens. They have raked up a catalogue of incidents from European Away games from the last 4 years in order to slur the Liverpool fans. There is no mention as to what these incidents are but they are clearly insinuating that Liverpool fans have a history of mis behaviour.
23 incidents in 5 seasons of European football involving Liverpool fans. Several questions beg to be asked. What is an incident? Is it a minor infringement with local police, a full scale riot or worse? How many games have been played over this period and how does the "infringement per game" ratio measure with other clubs?
Liverpool have played the qualifying rounds recently in European football, therefore accumulating more games therefore the number of reported ingringements is surely greater that a team who has only qualified for Europe on the odd occasion. Their record per game may be similar (or better) but the volume may be greater as far as Liverpool are concerned as they have played a greater number of games.
Hardly seems as if 'we' will have a fair hearing now though does it. Quite what an incident in 2003 at Marseille, Vladikavkaz or Sofia has to do with crowd control and ticketing problems in Athens 2007 I do not know. They should be examining the facts of the most recent game and that alone. Then again, that is assuming they want to find the root cause.
UEFA doesnt want to took into ticket touting, ticket allocation or indeed the choice of venue. No blame will be laid at the door of the organising parties, no investigation will take place and therefore no improvements will be made for future games.
Oh and as for the slur that Liverpool fans are the scum of the Earth with a history of violence, here is what Mr Gaillard said the week before the final:
“The two groups of supporters (Milan and Liverpool) have a tradition of good behaviour and at this point we are expecting that to continue.”Slightly at odds with his position today isnt it.