Sweet and sour ending, but a season to savour

 

Of all the scenarios that Jurgen Klopp and his think-tank would have considered for Paris, fans fearing another Hillsborough would not have been among them.

But thanks to policing that would have shamed a banana republic, that will be the enduring memory of Liverpool’s 10th Champions League final.

The agony of the 1-0 defeat will be forgotten, but images of thousands of Reds’ fans being corralled and tear gassed will stay forever.

And the almost casual pepper-spraying when passing gendarmes found there was still juice left in the can.

Crammed against the railings, Liverpool fans were an easy target.

I’ve seen mosquitoes given more respect at a barbecue.

And all this was for turning up early.

By the time they were let into the stadium – some three hours later – the game had started.

It seems that in France, if you have an English accent and wear a football jersey, you’re presumed to be a thug – whether you’re seven or seventy.

Guilty until proved innocent.

The French Sports Ministry is still maintaining that fake tickets were on “an industrial scale.”

Liverpool have demanded an apology – there were some but a lot were held by locals.

The damage of decades ago has left an indelible stain.

And respectable families of today are still suffering.

Compounding their nightmare in the French capital, the team were unable to bring any cheer on the field.

Thwarted by a goalkeeping wonder show from Thibaut Courtois.

But many fans were so traumatised by their experience, the result was of secondary importance.

Incredible as it may seem, the Kop, like the commentator, lost its voice.

And for some, the torment wasn’t over – there were assaults and muggings galore after the game.

The grandly named Stade de France is in one of the darkest and shabbiest corners of the so-called City of Light.

And the cops were no longer around.

At least there was a very different atmosphere when they got home the next day when the red half of Merseyside saluted their season of seasons.

It really was a tale of two cities.

But it was a travesty that such events had left their own scars on an unforgettable campaign.

Klopp’s men came within a couple of kicks of the Quad, broke 17 records including most goals scored.

But that’s football – a beautiful game that can get ugly in the wrong hands. And, of course, can be so, so cruel.

This was the second year in a row that a grand climax to a great tournament has been spoiled.

Perhaps the French were trying to avoid what happened in London last July – another shameful conclusion to a wonderful European Championships.

It was when ticketless English thugs stormed Wembley in their hundreds as the flimsy security was overwhelmed.

That also left a sour taste and was entirely avoidable.

Some terrific football is being played, but off the field you can’t help but feel the authorities are acting like idiots.

It’s the yin and yang of the game.

The players of the English Premier League delivered a thrilling season capped by a breathtaking finish despite a very unlevel playing field in terms of finance.

But all the time they were up against officialdom that never thought beyond the need to maximise profits.

The gripe list is endless but by far the biggest abomination is having a World Cup mid-season in Qatar.

And trying to stage it every two years.

Yes, Fifa lead the way in being anti-football off the field.

Uefa are not far behind. They’ve allowed the Super League clubs to get much of what they wanted from the Champions League.

And are still pussy-footing over racism: this week Hungary are supposed to play England behind closed doors as punishment for racist chanting.

But there will be 30,000 there as they’re letting kids in and each kid has to be accompanied by an adult!

You couldn’t make this stuff up.

In Bulgaria, Alan Pardew resigned as CSKA Sofia coach after fans threw bananas at their own black players and his assistant.

And this is 2022.

Elsewhere, in the EPL there’s the constant tinkering with kickoff times, often at impossible hours when there’s no transport.

The insistence on changed strips to meet sponsor’s requirements when there’s no colour clash is another nonsense.

Extortionate prices for tickets and merchandise.

Changing the rules so that no one is even sure any more what the handball rule is.

Foisting VAR on the game before it was ready – and before the game was ready.

Parachute payments that make it so difficult to get promoted if you don’t have a £35m cushion.

Almost every major decision is made without even thinking of fans.

And now the fan-led review to improve the running of the game gathers dust through inaction.

But still, there was plenty to celebrate. To be fair to Real Madrid, 14 trophies make them the undisputed kings.

Pep Guardiola won his fourth title in five years.

Jose Mourinho challenged the idea that he’s yesterday’s man by picking up another trophy – the Europa League with Roma.

Twice European champions Nottingham Forest are back where they belong after 23 years in the wilderness.

Brentford proved that a well-run small club could survive in the big league.

Lionel Messi suggested he’s not done yet after a mesmeric performance in the finalissimo.

Ukraine beat Scotland and now only Gareth Bale’s Wales stand between them and a place in the World Cup.

What a season! - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.