Paris Police Chief Apologises For Tear Gassing Liverpool Fans

Last months final was marred by ugly scenes outside the Stade de France in the French capital, as the game had to be delayed with fans struggling to get into the ground.

Paris police chief Didier Lallement said he was 'sorry' for the incident, whilst speaking to the French senate on Thursday morning.

"It is obviously a failure. It was a failure because people were pushed around and attacked. It was a failure because the image of the country was undermined," Mr Lallement said.

Lallement revealed that the figure was based on no actual evidence, adding, "The figure has no scientific virtue but it came from feedback from police and public transport officials.

"Maybe I was wrong, but it was constructed from all the information harvested.

"Whether there are 30,000 or 40,000 people, it doesn't change anything. What matters is that there were people, in large numbers, likely to disrupt the proper organisation of the filtering."

UEFA have appointed Portuguese politician Dr Tiago Brandao Rodrigues to carry out an inquiry, although there has been questions about his impartiality.

Europe's football governing body were quick to blame fans, putting up signs inside the ground claiming their late arrival led to the delay in kick off.