HomeLiverpool FCChampions League Athens 2007
Future of UEFA offical in fans row hangs in balance
Jun 7 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post
THE man who branded Liverpool fans the worst behaved in Europe could face disciplinary action because of his remarks, it emerged last night.
UEFA said a decision had not yet been taken about William Gaillard’s future with football’s governing body.
Outraged supporters and Merseyside MPs called for Mr Gaillard’s resignation after he said Liverpool fans had been involved in 25 incidents across the continent in the last four years – more than any other club.
He said the incidents were detailed in a report presented to the Government, but sports minister Richard Caborn has so far seen no sign of the list. Many supporters now believe it will never be made public, despite being used to muddy the LFC name last weekend.
Both Mr Gaillard and UEFA president Michel Platini have since performed U-turns, saying Liverpool fans are not the worst.
A UEFA spokesman said: “It is possible that action will be taken against Mr Gaillard. A decision has not yet been taken.”
Mr Gaillard was not available for comment last night.
UEFA insists the report handed to Mr Caborn after the trouble in Athens will not be made public.
The spokesman added: “It was never our intention that the contents of this report would be put out to the media.”
The Department for Culture Media and Sport has said the 25 incidents Gaillard spoke of were not in the report.
A spokesman said: “The report was handed to Mr Caborn in confidence and UEFA’s wishes will be respected.
“We have said everything that needed to be said and our comments have been taken on board. It is now time to move on.”
Mr Gaillard sparked fury when he said the report that was handed over on Tuesday would prove Liverpool fans were the worst in Europe.
UEFA has blamed Liverpool fans for trouble at the Champions League final in Athens.
Hundreds of fans gained entry to the stadium with forged tickets and Greek police had to shut the gates, meaning many with legitimate tickets were locked out.
Police used batons and fired tear gas as fans rushed them.
Mr Gaillard said on Sunday: “What other set of fans steal tickets from their fellow supporters, or out of the hands of children?”
This week, Merseyside MPs Jane Kennedy, George Howarth and Peter Kilfoyle all joined the calls for Mr Gaillard to step down.
Mr Kilfoyle said: “Gaillard knew exactly what he was saying. The bottom line is that the organisation was a shambles and it’s by the grace of God it didn’t turn out much worse. I don’t think he should resign – I think he should be sacked. For him to resign would be a way out with honour.”
These calls were echoed by fans across Merseyside last night, including Internet fan forum Red and White Kop.
The website urged Liverpool supporters to boycott UEFA sponsors Heineken, Sony, Mastercard, and Ford in the manner of the Sun newspaper boycott after Hillsborough.
The site said: “The supporters of Liverpool FC are now proposing to boycott these companies until William Gaillard is removed from his position and UEFA apologises for leaking a pejorative report at a sensitive time with the clear intent of further damaging the reputation of Liverpool FC and its supporters.”