PARIS -- The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris was delayed on Saturday amid chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France as thousands of Liverpool fans were stuck outside and police deployed pepper spray and tear gas on supporters.
Video footage on social media highlighted large crowds of supporters outside the Stade de France in the buildup to the game, with large numbers of Liverpool fans unable to access the stadium, leaving vast parts of their section empty less than 30 minutes before the match was due to start.
In contrast, the Real Madrid section was virtually full almost an hour before the game.
In a statement, UEFA put the blame for events outside the stadium on fans who had purchased fake tickets, though did not specify where those fans were from.
"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," the statement read.
"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.
Liverpool called for a formal investigation into what the club said were "unacceptable issues" outside the stadium.
"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," their statement read.
"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 Sunday, Merseyside Police issued a statement from assistant chief constable Chris Green that confirmed they will be working with Liverpool FC, UEFA and the UK Football Policing Unit "to pass on the observations of our officers who attended the game and took part in the prematch meetings with the relevant authorities."
It added that Merseyside Police officers at the game, working in an observatory and advisory capacity, reported "the majority of fans behaved in an exemplary manner, arriving at turnstiles early and queuing as directed."
Sources told ESPN that fans had been forced to wait outside as police attempted to control access to the stadium.
ESPN spoke to fans outside the stadium after the scheduled kickoff time and some showed match tickets for the game that should have secured their entry.
A young female supporter, with tears in her eyes, complained of being sprayed with pepper spray by riot police and ESPN witnessed and filmed a subsequent incident of fans being sprayed.
While they queued outside, the Liverpool supporters were calm and well-behaved as they waited to be allowed into the stadium.
Liverpool fans trying to get into the stadium for the Champions League final. pic.twitter.com/NLqws9qBrN
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 28, 2022
Police officers with batons and riot shields ran from gate to gate to prevent pockets of fans forcing their way into the stadium without showing tickets. One policeman collapsed to the ground and had to be helped by other officers. Officers used tear gas on Liverpool fans on repeated occasions.
In a statement, French police said, "Supporters attempted to penetrate the stadium. They forced their way through the first filter. The screening at the Stade de France is watertight.
"We have intervened to push back fans trying to force their way through," they added.
France's Interior and Sports ministers squarely put the blame on "British" supporters.
"Thousands of British 'supporters', without any ticket or with fake ones have forced their way in and, at times, used violence again stadium staff," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter, thanking French police.
"The attempts at intrusion and fraud by thousands of English supporters complicated the work of the stadium staff and police but will not tarnish this victory," Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera tweeted.
Some 68 people had been arrested by 1.20 p.m. CEST on Sunday while there were 238 interventions by medics for people who were very lightly injured, Paris police said in a statement.
UEFA initially cited the "late arrival of fans at the stadium" for the decision to postpone the 9 p.m. CET kickoff time. The final was then further delayed, with UEFA citing "security reasons," before finally getting underway at 9:36 p.m. CET.
Real Madrid went onto win the final, beating Liverpool 1-0.