European football governing body UEFA has blamed fans that purchased fake tickets for the issues at the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France on Saturday, which saw the match delayed by 35 minutes.
In a statement, UEFA said: “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.”
Fans of the Premier League club were subjected to tear gas from the French police, as thousands of supporters were left waiting outside of the stadium in Paris.
“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,” continued the statement.
Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan gave a statement once back in England and said: “I’m just back – obviously an incredibly difficult night, a disappointing night. But what happened outside the stadium completely overshadowed it. The stadium entry and the breakdown of security in the perimeter was absolutely unacceptable and frankly the treatment of our fans as well.
“As we discussed last night with UEFA, we are asking for a full and transparent investigation; an independent investigation that can help to establish the facts. It’s absolutely imperative that we understand what happened last night and how we got into that situation where people’s safety was put at risk.
“It’s absolutely imperative that we understand what happened last night and how we got into that situation where people’s safety was put at risk. It’s important we understand what happened last night but it’s also important we make sure that we take whatever the lessons are and ensure it never happens again.”
The issue with ‘fake tickets’ also affected the players, with media reports surrounding Liverpool player Andy Robertson. Robertson had purchased a ticket for his friend who was reportedly denied entry in the first instance, as stewards deemed the ticket to be fake.
“He luckily managed to get in because one of the club representatives sorted it but they said it was a fake ticket which I can assure you it wasn’t. For me it shouldn’t really happen, UEFA should have been better organised,” Robertson told The Guardian.
Liverpool has said that it has “officially requested a formal investigation” into what happened in Paris.
UEFA added: “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.”
Both Liverpool and UEFA had issued warnings on fake tickets and unauthorised ticket sales leading up to the final, which ultimately saw Real Madrid lift the trophy as champions.
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