Champions League final delayed amid chaotic scenes at Stade de France

Liverpool v Real Madrid kick-off put back as fans struggle to enter ground

Liverpool fans waiting to get into the Stade de France in Paris before the Champions League final. Getty

Gaps in the Liverpool end as fans struggle to get into the ground before kick-off. EPA

Liverpool fans waiting to get into the Stade de France in Paris before the Champions League final. PA

The giant screen showing that the kick-off has been depalyed due to late arriving fans. PA

Police officers on horseback as Spanish fans gather near Stade de France. Getty

Liverpool fans queue to gain entry to the stadium as Kick off is delayed ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final at the Stade de France, Paris. Picture date: Saturday May 28, 2022.

Fans waiting outside the gates to enter the stadium. PA

Police spray tear gas at Liverpool fans outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans cover their faces after being sprayed by pepper spray. PA

Liverpool fans are seen queuing outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans are seen queuing outside the stadium. Getty

Liverpool fans cover their faces after being sprayed by pepper spray. Getty

An angry Liverpool fan before the game. Getty

Gaps in the Liverpool end as fans struggle to get into the ground before kick-off. Getty

Liverpool fans queue to gain entry to the stadium. PA

Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid was delayed amid chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France on Saturday night.

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.

It is the third time that the Stade de France has hosted the Champions League final, but there seemed a distinct lack of organisation.

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 kick-off had been delayed.

Uefa at first confirmed it would start at 8.15pm. The stadium announcer claimed it was due to “the late arrival of fans at the stadium” and the governing body said it was due to “security reasons”.

However, Liverpool later posted on Twitter: “Kick-off has now been delayed by a further 15 minutes until 8.30pm BST.”

Kelly Cates – the daughter of Liverpool legend 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 due to a distinct lack of organisation.

Some ticketless fans were seen scaling the perimeter fence or attempting to dart past security.

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 emerged to warm-up again at 9.06pm local time as the delay continued.