Desperate perpetrators and drugs also blamed but report about day of ‘national shame’ cites collective failures
“I am not in the business of individual blame. So if people are looking for a report that tries to make scapegoats of individuals you won’t find that.” So said Louise Casey of her comprehensive report into the events in and around the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on 11 July. “There were collective failures that I identify and were clear. There are also mitigating factors that I describe in the report, in hindsight, as a ‘perfect storm’ that made that final so difficult to manage.”
As the 129 pages are picked over, it seems unlikely Lady Casey’s words will stop people looking to hold someone responsible. The whole experience, which she describes as a “national shame”, was so repellent as to almost necessitate closure; in case it becomes even more troubling on reflection. Perhaps the case for blame is stronger than Casey believes, too.
