The most senior policeman in France lost his job on Thursday after falsely accusing Liverpool football fans of causing trouble at this year’s Champions League final.
Didier Lallement, 65, was forced to step down unceremoniously after finally admitting he was “wounded by the failure” to secure the showpiece event.
The Paris Police Prefect had caused shock and outrage by defending tear gassing supporters including women and children around the Stade de France, saying: “The only way was to gas people”.
Stark images showed vast clouds of tear gas smothering supporters, as riot police sprayed others in the face with pepper spray before the showpiece game against Real Madrid on May 28.
Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat was overshadowed by such crowd problems, and Mr Lallement cited the behaviour of Liverpool supporters as a key factor.
It was not until a month later that he apologised to them, saying he was “the only one responsible” for the incidents.
Despite this, France’s controversial Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin thanked Mr Lallement for his work on Thursday, saying Laurent Nunez would take over.
“The President of the Republic, on my proposal, appointed Laurent Nunez Prefect of Police,” Mr Darmanin wrote on Twitter.
“It is the choice of an experienced man who knows the Prefecture of Police perfectly and who has held many national responsibilities. The safety of Ile-de-France residents will be our priority.
“I would like to pay tribute to Didier Lallement for his actions, in difficult conditions, in a context of significant terrorist threat, at the head of the Prefecture of Police over the past three years. He is a credit to the Republic.”
Mr Lallement’s exit was not directly linked to the events in Saint-Denis, as he had already announced into retirement this summer, ahead of his 66th birthday on August 27.
However, there was no doubt that the treatment of Liverpool fans had caused huge embarrassment for France, as it prepares to host an Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup.
In a letter, Mr Lallement wrote: “I’m still wounded from the failure of the Stade de France.
“Certainly, that evening, we saved lives but the reputation of the country was damaged. That the French flag has been sullied is a pain for me and a responsibility that I must take on.”
Mr Darmanin also originally blamed Liverpool fans for the violence, claiming that 35,000 had turned up with fake tickets.
But last week, a scathing French Senate report said this was to “divert attention” from organisational failures.
Liverpool FC is still demanding a full apology from the French government and the police.
