Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid was delayed amid chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France. France’s national stadium stepped in to host the showpiece after St Petersburg was stripped of the final in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This is the third time that the Stade de France has hosted the Champions League final. There were shambolic scenes outside the ground in the hours before the match and the stadium announcer confirmed at 8.46pm local time – 14 minutes before kick-off – that the fixture had been delayed.
UEFA at first announced it would start at 9.15pm local time. The announcer claimed it was due to 'the late arrival of fans at the stadium', despite pictures and video showing thousands of fans queued outside the ground hours before the game.
The governing body said it was due to 'security reasons'.
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Liverpool later posted on Twitter: "Kick-off has now been delayed by a further 15 minutes until 8.30pm BST." UEFA later said it would be 9.36pm local time and singer Camila Cabello performed her set as part of the opening ceremony at a ground where a number of fans still had not made their way in.
Kelly Cates – the daughter of Liverpool great Sir Kenny Dalglish – posted: "Absolutely shambolic at the Stade de France. No way in, no way of knowing which way to go. Stay safe if you’re heading in. It has the potential to be very dangerous."
There were large patches of empty seats as the original kick-off time passed and went, with long queues forming. At least one gate was locked outside the ground – Gate Y, which was the main one for the Liverpool end.
Fans were seen up against the fence shouting at people to sort the situation out and let them in. Riot police were in attendance with tear gas being used.
Liverpool fans with tickets were reportedly left locked out. One fan, Carl Noades, 63, told the PA news agency: "There only seems to be one gate open, it's ridiculous, the game's kicked off and we're stuck outside.
"It’s a disgrace, the way they’re treating us is shocking, there's no organisation."
Some Liverpool fans with tickets were later been let into the stadium hours after queuing up and well after the match began. French police used tear gas, batons and shields to force young locals, who appeared to have caused the mayhem, away from the area.
One man was wrapped in a blanket surrounded by emergency workers after being caught up in a scuffle. Scores of supporters with legitimate tickets were then allowed to enter.
One fan told PA: "I’ve queued up for four hours, my wife and I have tickets. Appalling. I’m devastated, Liverpool fans should not get the blame for this."
