Uefa blame thousands of fake tickets for Champions League final chaos as Liverpool fans tear-gassed outside

UEFA has blamed “thousands of fans who purchased fake tickets” for the chaotic scenes which saw the Champions League final delayed by 36 minutes.

Paris stepped in as host after UEFA stripped St Petersburg of the showpiece following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it did not provide a fitting host.

The build-up to kick-off was overshadowed by Liverpool supporters being denied or delayed entry, having been bottlenecked in queues and were forced to wait for hours at ticket checkpoints while Real Madrid’s end was full long before the scheduled 8pm kick-off.

Press Association reported that bottles were thrown at the officers, who responded with pepper spray and tear gas, leaving some fans holding their eyes. Supporters still waiting to get in were visibly frustrated, while stadium seats were still left empty after kick-off.

Police also used tear gas, batons and shields to force young locals, who appeared to have caused the mayhem, away from the area. One fan told PA: “I’ve queued up for four hours, my wife and I have tickets. Appalling. I’m devastated, Liverpool fans should not get the blame for this.”

European football’s governing body has now said fake tickets were to blame for the delays.

A statement 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."