• Real Madrid vs Liverpool pre-match chaos: Fans pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed: Details

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    Real Madrid vs Liverpool pre-match chaos: Fans pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed: Details


    Liverpool called for a "formal investigation" into the security failings



     Digital Desk: Real
    Madrid defeated Liverpool by 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Paris on
    Saturday (May 28) to secure a record-extending 14th European Cup.



    However, the match was
    delayed for more than half an hour with pretty crazy scenes unfolding outside
    the Stade de France.



    Thousands of people
    travelled to Paris to watch Real Madrid take on Liverpool in the Champions
    League final, but the match was postponed due to a security issue, according to
    the organisers. The game started 36 minutes late because police were attempting
    to hold off fans who were forcing their way into the stadium.



    As the world awaited the
    start of the final, a stadium announcer indicated the kick-off would be delayed
    for security concerns until 2100 local time (1900GMT). The start of European
    club soccer's showpiece has been postponed "due to the late arrival of
    fans," it added later.



    Moreover, the video
    which were captured outside the stadium allegedly showed riot between the
    police and the fans.



    Notably, some of the
    fans were reportedly being sprayed with pepper spray and others were being
    escorted away.



    French Police in a
    statement stated that the supporters had attempted to penetrate the stadium and
    force their way in. The police claimed that were intervened to push back people
    trying to force their way through. Even after the kick-off, the
    "manoeuvre" was still ongoing, they said.



    It should be noted that
    News agencies reported that the police further used teargas outside the
    stadium. UEFA blamed "fake tickets which did not work in the
    turnstiles" for the events that saw supporters held up outside the
    stadium.



    Meanwhile, UEFA in a
    statement stated that 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. As a result, there was a line of
    fans waiting to get in and following this the game was postponed for 35 minutes
    to allow as many supporters with valid tickets as possible to attend.



    The families of
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's players and staff were caught up in the chaos
    outside the Stade de France, Klopp said. "I couldn't speak to my family
    yet, but I know the relatives had a tough time getting into the stadium”, he
    added. He further added that he I heard a few things that were not pleasant.



    It may be mentioned
    that, Liverpool called for a "formal investigation" into the security
    failings. In a statement the club stated, "This is the greatest match in
    European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we
    have witnessed tonight."