Ex-Tory leader offers to be witness for Reds fans

Former Tory leader Michael Howard has offered to be a witness for Liverpool fans demanding compensation from UEFA after they were shut out of the Champions’ League final.

Howard said he is willing to give evidence in court if necessary over the final in Athens.

A number of fans are being represented by lawyers and are demanding compensation for travel costs as well after being barred from the ground despite having tickets.

Howard, who was at the game as a Liverpool fan, said: “I would be more than happy to appear in court to give evidence in respect of my own experiences on the night should it be of help in establishing the truth of what happened.

“It seems to me that UEFA was at fault in two respects. Firstly, the Athens’ stadium was not a football ground and, as such, was not equipped for a football match of this kind.

“Secondly, UEFA clearly devoted insufficient attention to ensuring that arrangements on the day of the game were adequate. That led to a considerable amount of confusion and distress in addition to the financial loss suffered by a large number of people.”

Simon Gibson of Kirwans solicitors, who are representing 30 fans, said they had yet to receive a response from UEFA to their request for information.

UEFA have blamed ticketless Liverpool fans for forcing their way into the ground and taking bona fide ticket-holders’ seats.