UEFA blames fans with ‘fake tickets’ for Champions League final delay

Kick off was delayed by 35 minutes as thousands of Liverpool fans were denied entry.

UEFA have released a statement in which they cited fans with 'fake tickets' as the reason behind the major security concerns in the build-up to the Champions League final. Kick off was delayed by 35 minutes at the Stade de France after reports that thousands of Liverpool fans were unable to gain entry into the ground after stewards and French authorities closed the gate entry to the stadium. Video footage showed fans trying to climb the perimeter fence in order to gain access while other reports said that fans had been tear gassed and pepper sprayed outside of the ground. https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/1530630002793922561 Liverpool themselves have also released a statement in which they have requested a 'formal investigation' into the incident while UEFA have responded themselves to give their own version of events. https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1530677172003823617 A statement from the European governing body said: "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." Real Madrid went on to win their 14th Champions League title after Vinicius Junior's goal in the second half ended Liverpool's hopes of winning a famous treble.