The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris was marred by chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France.
The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris was delayed on Saturday amid chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France as thousands of Liverpool fans were stuck outside and police deployed pepper spray and tear gas on supporters. Video footage on social media highlighted large crowds of supporters outside the Stade de France in the buildup to the game, with large numbers of Liverpool fans unable to access the stadium, leaving vast parts of their section empty less than 30 minutes before the match was due to start. In contrast, the Real Madrid section was virtually full almost an hour before the game. In a statement, UEFA put the blame for events outside the stadium on fans who had purchased fake tickets.
„In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles“, the statement read.
„This created a build-up of fans trying to get in. As a result, the kick off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets to gain access.
„As numbers outside the stadium continued to build up after kick off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the stadium.
