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Olympic bosses have told Sky News they have received assurances that recommendations from a new report will be implemented at venues ahead of next year’s Paris Games.

The UEFA-commissioned review into the poor treatment of Liverpool fans outside the Champions League final in the French capital last May found the failings “almost led to a disaster” after faults by European football’s governing body and the lack of a venue risk assessment by French authorities.

In response, a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said: “We are in constant contact with the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, as security for the Games is the responsibility of the host nation.

Soccer Football - Champions League Final - Liverpool v Real Madrid - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - May 28, 2022 Fans and police officers at the turnstiles inside the stadium as the match is delayed REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

“French authorities have already conducted a review of events during the UEFA Champions League final, which was led by Michel Cadot, the French government’s inter-ministerial delegate for major sports events.

“We understand that the recent report from the UEFA-commissioned investigation incorporates findings from the review conducted by Mr Cadot, and that the recommendations of his review will already be applied across the stadiums at the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France this year.”

The independent report criticised French police for firing tear gas and pepper spray indiscriminately on concourses near turnstiles being used by Liverpool fans, leading to crushing around security barriers at the Stade de France before the game against Real Madrid.

Read more:
What actually happened at the Stade de France?

Videos from the incident showed Liverpool fans reacting in dismay, with some desperately trying to climb the railings.

UEFA bosses ordered the review to uncover what went wrong, even within their organisation, and its conclusions were discovered by Sky News before the report was then published in full on Monday evening.

There were significant issues accessing the venue and French authorities are criticised for deflecting responsibility, particularly after false claims about a mass of fans without tickets or fake ones.

Soccer Football - Champions League Final - Liverpool v Real Madrid - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - May 28, 2022 French police arrest a man outside Stade de France before Champions League Final REUTERS/Fernando Kallas

Police were blamed for not being proactive enough in intervening when locals attacked fans, and for being over-reliant on the use of tear gas and pepper spray on blameless fans.

As an event owner, UEFA is assigned “primary responsibility”, but it’s understood some commission members disagreed with the conclusion.

The match was delayed for 37 minutes as a combination of operational problems outside the venue created access issues for distressed fans – particularly those who are disabled and asthmatics who had to contend with the tear gas and pepper spray.

The report also said the police and the French Football Federation (FFF) “bear responsibility” because of their roles ensuring public safety.

It was described as a near-miss event in the review, referencing an event that almost turns into a “mass fatality catastrophe”.

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Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

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Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, in southeast London.

Police were called around 2.30pm to reports of a stabbing on a bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

A boy who police said had received stab wounds was treated by paramedics, but he died at the scene shortly after they arrived.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.

No arrests have been made so far but police are appealing for witnesses of the incident on the 472 bus.

Read more from Sky News:
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A cordon and road closures were in place as of shortly before 5pm.

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Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

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Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over 'exceptionally high' demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.

The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.

The number of people in England’s hospital with flu quadrupled in the last month, according to NHS data.

A spokesperson for the hospital said it had a “comprehensive plan in place” and was “taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances”.

“We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity,” they added.

The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.

People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to see their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.

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The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.

It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.

It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.

A critical incident was also declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.

It said it had seen almost four times as many inpatients compared with last year and urged people with flu to avoid going to A&E.

Read more from Sky News:
England cricket chiefs reject call for boycott of Afghanistan game

Plaza says death of filmmaker husband ‘unimaginable tragedy’

There have been warnings this winter of a so-called “quad-demic”– with flu, vomiting bug norovirus, COVID and RSV circulating at the same time.

The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four; flu, COVID-19 and RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).

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Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

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Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Zendaya and Tom Holland are rumoured to be engaged after the 28-year-old actress appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a massive diamond ring on her left ring finger.

They met after working together on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and confirmed their relationship in 2021.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Zendaya and Holland for comment.

Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ''Spider-Man: No Way Home''.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ”Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya chatted to journalists on the Globes red carpet, where she was nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in the romantic sports drama Challengers.

Despite being pipped to the prize by Demi Moore, who won for her role in body horror The Substance, there was plenty of buzz around Zendaya’s large diamond ring, which was clearly visible throughout the show.

A Los Angeles Times reporter appeared to ask Zendaya about it, holding up her own engagement ring and pointing to it. Zendaya responded by showing her left-hand ring.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic: Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

The reporter then asked if the actor was engaged and “she kept showing her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously”.

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Holland, who is also 28, wasn’t at Sunday’s Globes.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton ball gown, and diamond jewellery from Bulgari – for which she’s an ambassador – on the Globes red carpet.

But while the Dune star’s other jewellery items were listed in a press release, there was no mention of the ring on her left finger.

Zendaya, who rose to fame after her breakout role in Disney sitcom Shake It Up, became a household star after starring in Euphoria.

Tom Holland, who is the son of British actor/comedian Dominic Holland, won a role in Billy Elliot The Musical as a child, and has gone on to achieve global fame playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.

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