The head of Paris police finally admitted there was a "failure" at the Champions League final and has belatedly apologised for tear-gassing fans.
The fixture between Liverpool and Real Madrid took place on May 28 in Paris, but thousands of Reds fans were left stranded outside the Stade de France.
Didier Lallement hit back at Liverpool for encouraging supporters to travel to the city without valid tickets.
Kick off was ultimately delayed as the situation outside the stadium turned disorderly, as French Police pepper-sprayed desperate fans as they anticipated entrance to the venue.
The French Police Chief admitted to 'failures" in the handling of Liverpool fans at the Stade de France
Adam Davy
Liverpool fans were stuck outside the ground as the kick off was delayed during the UEFA Champions League Final
Adam Davy
Fans were subject to tear gas from French Police
Nick Potts
French authorities had not apologised or made a statement regarding the situation, claiming the situation had descended into chaos as "30-40,000" Liverpool supporters turned up with fake tickets.
In front of the French Senate, Mr Lallement admitted the figure – which had been heavily contested by the vast majority of those present – was "perhaps a mistake".
In his address he said: "The image of the country has been shaken, people have been attacked. But the match was held and there were no serious injuries or fatalities."
In a further statement, he admitted how he was "sorry" for the use of tear gas, but justified its use as there was no other option.
Mr Lallement was probed on the controversial, inflammatory 30-40,000 claim, made by interior minister Gerald Darmanin.
He added: "Perhaps I made a mistake with the figure I gave to the minister.
"I never claimed that it was absolutely accurate.
"The figure has no scientific virtue but it came from feedback from police and public transport officials.
‘Whether there are 30,000 or 40,000 people, it doesn't change anything.
"What matters is that there were people, in large numbers, likely to disrupt the proper organisation of the filtering.
"But that we count them precisely to within 5000, it doesn't change much."
Liverpool came under fire by the French for encouraging fans to attend the fixture, without valid tickets.
Mr Lallement condemned Liverpool saying: "The Liverpool club did not send the necessary information to the police headquarters concerning the movement of its supporters.
"‘Even inviting its supporters to come en masse to Paris, even without a ticket."