'Shocking' scenes as Liverpool fans are tear gassed by French police

Liverpool fans show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Footage has emerged on Twitter showing French police using tear gas on Liverpool fans outside the stadium.
A lack of organisation was blamed for what was described as 'shocking and shambolic' scenes outside the Stade de France, with French police reported to have used tear gas in a bid to control the escalating situation.
Long queues formed and the Liverpool end was noticeably patchy less than half an hour before kick-off as supporters struggled to get in.
Fans were seen up against the fence shouting at people to sort the situation out and let them in
The stadium announcer confirmed at 8.46pm local time – 14 minutes before kick-off – that the start of the Champions League final had been delayed.
Liverpool players re-emerged to warm-up at 9.06pm local time – six minutes after the scheduled kick-off. Real Madrid players began to follow shortly after.
UEFA said the delay was due to “security reasons” but the Stade de France screens claimed it was “due to the late arrival of fans”.
Liverpool issued a statement about the issues before the game that resulted in kick off being delayed and fans being unable to get into the stadium on time:
"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."
UEFA also released a statement that read: "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.
"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."
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Today's Headlines
serious injuries | Irish tourist rushed to hospital after plunging from a hotel balcony in Santa Ponsa
horrific | Young mum arrested for drink driving after garda left with life-changing injuries
mobbed by fans | Rihanna and ASAP Rocky spotted in south London barber shop
airport chaos | Irish holidaymakers face weeks of travel misery as Covid grounds more airline flights
mixed bag | Sunny spells and scattered showers forecast as temperatures set to rise
stone the crows | Former councillor finds out crows are behind pebble thefts from his daughter's grave
fake it all back | Celebs don’t like big butts and they cannot lie judging by the latest boom-to-bust surgery trend
lockdown rage | Man (40) assaulted deli worker who asked his son to wear a face mask
Bumper deal | Details of Mohamed Salah’s new Liverpool contract are revealed
out of control | Pensioners down €12 a week or €624 a year due to soaring cost of inflation