THE Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was delayed by 36 minutes after hundreds of fans struggled to get into the Stade De France.
There was chaos outside about an hour before kick-off with supporters held up when trying to enter the stadium.
Liverpool fans cover their mouths after being pepper-sprayed by policeCredit: PAUefa announced kick-off was delayed with hundreds of fans stuck outsideCredit: PA
Gary Lineker was among the fans stuck outside the ground, with the Match Of The Day host slamming “dangerous” scenes.
Lineker tweeted: “Finding it impossible to get in the ground. This appears to be very dangerous. Absolute carnage.”
With the scheduled 8pm kick-off time approaching, the Liverpool end of the stadium remained noticeably empty.
Kick-off was initially pushed back by fifteen minutes, and then a further twenty as scenes outside worsened.
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Vinicius Jr gives Spaniards 14th Champions League title
After the second delay, Lineker added: “I’m not sure it’s possible to have a more poorly organised event if you tried. Absolutely shambolic and dangerous.
“They’ve just announced another 15 minute delay ‘because of the late arrival of fans’. Utter bulls**t.”
Meanwhile outside fans were met with long queues and apparent heavy-handed policing.
ESPN reported an initial build-up of supporters at perimeter points where tickets are checked and bags searched.
Finding it impossible to get in the ground. This appears to be very dangerous. Absolute carnage.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) May 28, 2022
Big areas of the Liverpool end were empty minutes before the scheduled kick-off time
While some gates were closed with Reds fans being directed towards a small Real Madrid entrance that quickly became blocked due to significant numbers of fans trying to get in.
As frustrated fans waited outside, worrying images emerged or tear gas and pepper spray being deployed by police.
ESPN reporter Mark Ogden filmed peaceful Liverpool fans, showing their match tickets, being pepper-sprayed as they tried to cover their mouths to protect themselves.
One BBC journalist, Nick Parrott, told Five Live that he had been targeted by police outside the ground, with them using pepper spray “indiscriminately” on fans.
He said: “This is the first time I’ve been pepper-sprayed at a football game! The Liverpool fans are behaving themselves!”
Liverpool defender Joel Matip’s family were also caught in the shocking scenes.
Matip’s brother Marvin and his pregnant wife were forced to flee and seek refuge in a restaurant after she was pepper-sprayed as they tried to access the stadium.
A furious Marvin told German reporters: “The organisation around and in the stadium is unworthy of a CL final!
“Using tear gas in areas with children and uninvolved fans is dangerous!”
Uefa insisted the delay was due to fans not arriving early enough, despite some supporters claiming they were outside the stadium two-to-three hours before kick-off.
When play did eventually begin after 8:30pm, there were still thousands of empty seats in the stadium.
Liverpool announced they have requested a formal investigation into the scenes.
A statement said: “We are hugely disappointed at the stadium entry issues and breakdown of the security perimeter that Liverpool fans faced this evening at Stade de France.
I rushed son to A&E after finding ‘hole’ in mouth & then realised huge blunder
“This is the greatest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight.
“We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”
Boss Jurgen Klopp added: “I couldn’t speak to my family but I know the families had real struggles to get into stadium.
“I don’t know the reasons. We have to wait for the investigation.
“I heard a few things, which weren’t good or nice.
“It was tricky out there. I don’t know more about it.”
But Uefa hit back: “In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles.
“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.
“UEFA is sympathetic to those affected by these events and will further review these matters urgently together with the French police and authorities, and with the French Football Federation.”
Real Madrid won 1-0 with a second-half goal from Vinicius Jr that sealed their 14th Champions League title.
