Real Madrid won the Champions League final against Liverpool 1-0. But the match started almost 40 minutes late due to unrest outside the Stade de France. Several media outlets, including the news agency AFP and the British BBC, reported on long queues and chaotic scenes.
AFP and the BBC write that police are said to have fired tear gas in connection with several people having tried to get past the barriers and into the arena. In connection with the regular kick-off time, 21.00, there were still many ticket holders who had not been allowed to enter the arena.
Liverpool critical
During the match, Liverpool made a statement on their website where they write that they have officially requested that a formal investigation be made into what happened.
“We are extremely disappointed with the problems with the entrance to the arena and the lack of security, which Liverpool fans were faced with tonight at the Stade de France. This is the biggest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we saw in evening “, writes the English club.
UEFA’s response
The European Football Association Uefa also issued a press release during the match. There, the union writes that several people who had bought invalid tickets were behind the chaos.
“Before the match, the turnstiles at the Liverpool stands were blocked by thousands of fans who had bought invalid tickets that did not work. It created a queue for fans and it resulted in us shooting the match so that fans with real tickets could get in “, writes Uefa.
It is also confirmed that tear gas was used:
“As the number of people outside the stadium became more and more, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the arena. “Uefa sympathizes with those affected and will investigate these incidents expeditiously with the French police, other authorities and the French Football Federation.”