The Law Society Gazette
A firm representing more than 1,000 fans who suffered physical or other injuries in the 2022 Champions League final will fight football’s governing body over where proceedings take place.
Leigh Day said it will resist an application from UEFA for the claims to be heard in Paris, where the final was held. The application will be heard in the High Court in Liverpool and the firm insists this is where the full hearing should also be held.
UEFA argues that the court will have to decide on the lawfulness of actions or failings of the Frensh state over matters which occurred in Paris. The organisation also refers to the responsibilities of the French Football Association and the Préfecture de Police in its application.
But Leigh Day points out that UEFA’s independent review concluded that the association bears ‘primary responsibility’ for the organisational and safety failures that occurred at the Stade de France in May 2022.
The firm has accused UEFA of trying to deflect attention from its role in the episode and argues that the right venue for hearing claims is the nearest court to the majority of claimants. The application hearing will be on 27 and 28 June.
In a joint statement, Leigh Day partners Clare Campbell and Jill Paterson said: ‘Thousands of supporters were left injured and traumatised and, even now, 20 months on from that fateful day, many of those impacted continue to deal with the repercussions.
‘It is our firm belief that High Court in Liverpool is the appropriate court to decide upon matters that are so important a large number of Liverpool FC fans and we will continue to fight for their claims to be heard by the English court system.’
