Serious and Concerning Allegations Against UEFA, Particularly its Safety and Security

The allegations against UEFA, particularly its safety and security unit, in relation to the 2022 Champions League final are serious and concerning. According to the information provided, Sharon Burkhalter-Lau, who was the operations director at UEFA during that time, has accused UEFA of presenting false evidence during its own independent inquiry into the events surrounding the final match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

Key points from the allegations include:

1. Safety and Security Failures: The 2022 Champions League final is described as having descended into chaos with reports of static queues, crushing, dangerous policing, and attacks by local individuals. These incidents suggest significant safety and security failures during the event.

2. Independent Panel's Conclusion: UEFA appointed a panel of experts to review the situation, and their conclusion was that UEFA had "primary responsibility" for the problems because it failed to properly monitor and oversee safety plans and operations in Paris. However, the panel did not primarily blame the safety and security unit, but rather Burkhalter-Lau's events division for "marginalizing" the unit.

3. Ties Between UEFA President's Friend and Safety Unit: It is noted that the safety and security unit at UEFA has been led by Zeljko Pavlica, who is described as the best friend of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Their relationship goes back decades to their lives in Slovenia. Questions have been raised about Pavlica's qualifications and expertise for the role of overseeing stadium safety in European football.

4. Accusations of False Information: Sharon Burkhalter-Lau, the then-operations director at UEFA, has accused UEFA of presenting "completely untrue" evidence in relation to the safety and security unit's role being marginalized.

These allegations raise concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential conflicts of interest within UEFA. An independent and thorough investigation would be necessary to determine the veracity of these claims and to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent such issues from occurring in the future. It is important for organizations like UEFA to prioritize the safety and security of fans and participants in major sporting events.