A longtime champion Liverpool was in the midst of chaos ahead of the Champions League final.
Alan Kennedy feared for his life before hoisting him over the fence.
“I was about to die,” Kennedy told CNN.
Alan Kennedy, 67, decided the 1981 European Cup final.
Just like that time, it was Liverpool who met Real Madrid and like that time, the final was held in Paris.
But when Alan Kennedy returned to France to see Liverpool as a spectator, he had an unpleasant experience. Chaos erupted outside the Stade de France when police used tear gas against large crowds who were pushed towards the fences.
– I remember the moment I said to myself: “This is very dangerous.” People will die. “I felt like I was in a physical battle against a lot of people,” Alan Kennedy told CNN.
I got help over the fence
Alan Kennedy was in the midst of the chaos and says he was very scared. It was raised over the fence with the help of other people.
“If it weren’t for my son and the people who helped me get past the fence–an iron fence that was hard to get past–I’d have a serious problem,” he says.
Liverpool lost the Champions League final 1-0.
– I don’t remember much of the match. Isn’t that strange? We had good places but I don’t remember much. Because I think I was traumatized by what happened before. I must say I was about to die, says Alan Kennedy.
Fowler furious: ‘He should be imprisoned’
Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler, who currently works for Sky Sports, was also present at the riots.
“I am 47 and have been playing football for 40 years… and the sights I saw in Paris were without a doubt the worst I have ever experienced.” He writes in the “mirror”.
Fowler says his son, who was also present, was about to get into trouble. He is angry with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who believes he should be held responsible for what happened.
“The police effort was very close to getting killed. Gerald Darmanin… you should be imprisoned for just that,” he added.
Fowler wrote that he saw five-year-olds being sprayed with tear gas and believed France should never be allowed to host the final again.
“End of discussion. They are not ready to host the Olympics either.” Fowler continues.
