France's top police officer on Thursday tried to defend gassing Liverpool fans as the fiasco surrounding the Champions League final chaos continues.
Didier Lallement, chief of Paris Police, told a parliamentary hearing that crowds including women and children were pepper-sprayed before the May 28 showpiece at the Stade de France because it 'was the only way'.
He also admitted the claim that Liverpool fans caused the severe delays and lengthy queues outside the stadium with 30-40,000 counterfeit tickets was plucked from his own head.
Fans were stuck outside the Stade de France for two hours before being hit with tear gas by French police
French police chief Didier Lallement appeared at a hearing on Thursday to discuss the chaos
'I'm fully aware people of good faith were gassed, even families,' Mr Lallement told a feisty meeting at the Paris Senate.