UEFA accuses thousands of counterfeit tickets of disturbing fans as Liverpool demand investigation and describe security concerns at Champions League final as ‘unacceptable’

Liverpool said they were “extremely disappointed” after thousands of fans were left in a nightmare ahead of the Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday night.

UEFA’s showpiece event was delayed for 36 minutes after French police detained Reds fans outside the Stade de France and used tear gas and pepper spray.

With fans shaken by the events leading up to the match, which ended 1-0 against Madrid, the Reds issued a statement saying they had requested an official inquiry into the causes of the events.

The statement read: “We are extremely disappointed with the stadium entry issues and breach of security perimeter that Liverpool supporters faced at the Stade de France tonight.

“It’s the biggest game in European football and fans shouldn’t have to experience the scenes we witnessed tonight.

“We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”

UEFA also issued a statement and revealed that the unsavory scenes were due to thousands of fans trying to attend the match with fake tickets.

They said: “During the match, the turnstiles at the Liverpool side were blocked by thousands of fans who had bought fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles.

“It created a buildup of fans trying to get in.

“As a result, kick-off has been delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets access.

“As the number of people outside the stadium continued to pile up after kick-off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the stadium.

“UEFA is sensitive to those affected by these events and will urgently review these matters with the French police and authorities, as well as with the French Football Federation.”

Along with many high-profile broadcasters, journalists and supporters, Adrian Durham was furious at what happened outside the stadium, saying UEFA’s decision to blame supporters for what happened was “dangerous”.

He said: “It’s quite an important message to get it wrong, it’s dangerous.

“It’s a damning allegation because the allegation is that due to the late arrival of the fans, the match was delayed.

“The allegation is that it’s the fans’ fault. It’s not the authorities, it’s not UEFA, it’s not the police, it’s the fans.

“It’s still hitting the fans with a big stick, like you always do.

“It’s not the fans. From what we understand, it can’t take more than two hours from arrival at the stadium to entry.

“It’s not the late arrival of the fans, it’s mismanagement.”