May 29, (THEWILL) – Following Liverpool’s request for a formal investigation into the delays that marred the Champions League final, UEFA has responded by blaming the delays on fans attempting to utilise “fake tickets” to get into the final.
As THEWILL reported, UEFA announced an initial 15-minute delay to accommodate spectators entering the stadium before Saturday’s final at the Stade de France, citing “security reasons.”
As both sides had finished their warm-ups by the time kick-off was first delayed, Liverpool and Real Madrid players returned to the Paris changing rooms. After a second delay, the two sides came out again for a second warm-up at 8:05 pm local time, before the match finally began at 8:36 pm, a whole 36 minutes later than intended.
Clearly unpleased by the treatment of their fans, Liverpool issued a statement, demanding an investigation: “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.”
On their part, UEFA blamed the delay in fans’ entry on the use of fake tickets, pledging to investigate the problem with local authorities.
The UEFA statement read: “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.
“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.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
