Police stand in front of fans prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
The UCL final was marred by chaos and violence. Liverpool is now demanding a probe into why their fans were attacked by French police.
Liverpool called for an investigation Saturday after thousands of their fans were held outside of the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris.
The move prompted UEFA to delay kickoff by 30 minutes as police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse fans who had purchased bogus tickets and were trying to enter the venue.
In a statement, Liverpool said on its official website: “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. 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.”
Liverpool fans held in the lines were seen hanging onto railings and heard shouting: “Let us in. We’ve got tickets.”
There were many instances of fans breaking through security and attempting to get into the stadium. The Associated Press reported seeing two fans — one was wearing Liverpool gear — wrestled to the ground by stewards and bundled out of the gates.
About 15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff of 9 p.m. local time, an announcement was made by UEFA that there would be a delay. They initially blamed it on the late arrival of fans to the stadium.
Another 15-minute delay was soon added to that once the situation outside the grounds grew more chaotic.
In addition to the Liverpool statement, UEFA said it was “sympathetic to those affected” and it announced an urgent review by local authorities and the French Football Federation.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
