Liverpool fans have often booed or drowned out the Champions League anthem at Anfield as a protest tied to UEFA and the competition’s governance, especially in the wake of the chaotic scenes at the 2022 Paris final and ongoing criticisms of UEFA’s handling of fan safety and tournament organisation. The booing is usually framed less as a dislike of the music itself and more as a symbolic rebuke of UEFA’s decisions and perceived accountability gaps. Key points to understand:
- Root cause: The Paris 2022 Champions League final disaster and subsequent UEFA responses created lasting anger among Liverpool supporters toward UEFA, which is commonly expressed at pre-match anthems and in-stadium banners or chants.
- How the protest manifests: Boos and anti-UEFA chants often accompany the pre-match atmosphere, sometimes accompanied by banners criticizing UEFA. The reaction can intensify during high-profile fixtures, such as matches against Real Madrid or other European ties.
- Broader context: The sentiment has been echoed by some other clubs’ supporters at times, but the strongest, most consistent expression comes from Liverpool fans due to the perceived impact on their safety and the competition’s governance.
If you’d like, I can pull recent examples and summarize notable incidents from the latest seasons, or map how the protest has evolved across different opponents and venues.
