Bayern Munich have filed an official complaint with UEFA over what they describe as “unacceptable” security restrictions imposed by French police ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League fixture at Paris Saint-Germain.
The German giants issued a statement late Monday evening confirming the protest had been submitted to European football’s governing body regarding measures introduced at “short notice” by the Paris police prefecture.
According to the measures announced on Monday, all Bayern supporter coaches must remain outside the capital and receive police escort to and from the Parc des Princes. The directive also stipulates that Bayern fans “travel to the stadium exclusively via public transport”.
Additionally, the regulations require fan buses to remain in the Paris region until approximately 5am local time on Wednesday, despite the match concluding around 11pm on Tuesday evening.
“For FC Bayern, the short notice of the decree is unacceptable, as all the relevant information has been available for weeks,” the club’s statement read.
Bayern revealed that hosts PSG have expressed support for their protest against the restrictions.
The security measures have revived uncomfortable memories of the 2022 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Stade de France, which descended into chaos.
That match was delayed by 37 minutes as supporters struggled to enter the stadium after being directed into overcrowded bottlenecks near the venue’s approaches.
In May this year, former French interior minister Gerald Darmanin issued an apology to supporters over the botched police operation, admitting “we got the measures wrong” and “it was a failure”.
Darmanin had initially blamed Liverpool fans for the disorder, claiming many arrived without valid tickets.
Anxious police officers deployed tear gas towards thousands of supporters trapped behind metal barriers on the stadium’s perimeter. Liverpool fans were subjected to numerous false accusations following the incident.
An independent investigation concluded that UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for the failures that nearly resulted in a “mass fatality catastrophe”. The report noted it was “remarkable” that no fatalities occurred during the final, which Real Madrid won 1-0.
