Paris police chief Didier Lallement has apologised for the behaviour of local cops during the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
But Lallement has defended his handling of the chaos last month, saying his "red line" was to save lives.
French authorities blamed late arrivals and fake tickets for overcrowding and chaotic scenes before the match.
Liverpool fans - including children - were tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed outside the stadium by police ahead of the final between Liverpool and Real Madrid on 28 May.
Then as they left the area, some fans were were attacked by 300 to 400 local youths, Lallement said.
"It was obviously a failure, because people were pushed around or attacked even though we owed them security," Mr Lallement told the French Senate on Thursday.
"I am fully aware that people acting in good faith, even families, were tear-gassed," he added. "I am very sorry about that."
He said his force was not prepared for the scale of the problem that thousands of fake tickets caused.
He explained that using tear gas outside the Stade de France was the only means they had to get the crowd to move back without charging at them: "I think it would have been a mistake to charge at people."
He added that appeals had been made for supporters to move back but they had not worked.
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