European football's governing body, Uefa, said "fake tickets" were to blame for the 36-minute delay to Saturday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid as chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France prevented thousands of fans from entering the stadium.
Uefa said French police had fired tear gas to disperse thousands of frustrated fans who were building up outside the ground as a result of the fake tickets issue.
But Liverpool said they were "hugely disappointed" that their supporters had been subjected to an "unacceptable" breakdown of the security perimeter at France's national stadium, while Reds defender Andrew Robertson described the organisation as a "shambles".
The final of Europe's most prestigious club competition was supposed to kick off at 9:00pm local time (11pm UAE) but was pushed back due to the queues of mainly Liverpool fans who could not get into the ground.
"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," Uefa said in a statement.
"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 said they were "sympathetic" to the fans affected and would review the situation together with local police and authorities, as well as the French Football Federation.
Some of the supporters with valid tickets did not get into the ground until the end of the first half. However, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin pointed the finger squarely at the Liverpool fans.
Liverpool v Real Madrid player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian had little to do but got into a muddle for the disallowed goal. Some of his expeditions out of his area verged on erratic. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6. The 23-year-old had a few good moments but was not as influential as usual. If he had checked over his shoulder, it might have been possible to stop the winning goal. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate - 8. This was the Frenchman’s best performance in a red shirt. He was strong in the tackle and quick to snuff out danger. His one questionable moment was before the disallowed goal and he was saved by VAR. AP -
Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was powerful and composed and tried to spark attacks when on the ball. He was rarely in trouble but got dragged a little wide before the goal. AP -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot tried to get forward but his crossing was erratic. His link-up play on the left with Diaz did not work as well as usual. AP -
Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain worked effectively in midfield and tried to move the ball quickly when in possession. He was withdrawn for Keita in the 77th minute as Liverpool chased a goal. EPA -
Fabinho - 6. The Brazilian stamped his authority on the midfield early on and ensured his team were on top for most of the game. He did not contribute much going forward. AFP -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. The 31-year-old was an injury worry before the game and did not look quite right even though his passing was neat. He was replaced by Firmino with 13 minutes to go. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian was marginalised in the first half but threatened after the break. Some of his shots lacked precision but he was unlucky to be foiled by the brilliance of Courtois. Getty -
Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese hit the post and caused Real some alarm. He was the victim of some rugged defending. EPA -
Luis Diaz - 5. The Colombian had an off night and lost his contest with Carvajal. Jota came on for him in the 65th minute. Getty -
SUBS: Diogo Jota (Diaz 65') - 6. The Portuguese was an upgrade on Diaz but was unable to beat Courtois. He was swamped by a blanket defence. Getty -
Naby Keita (Henderson 77') - 5. He showed for the ball but never looked like turning the match Liverpool’s way. AP -
Roberto Firmino (Thiago 77') - 6. The Brazilian produced some clever touches but they were not enough to change the course of the game. Getty -
REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 10. One of the great Champions League final performances, the Belgian produced save after save, including six from Salah alone, to guide Real Madrid to victory. Getty -
Dani Carvajal - 8. Had the unenviable task of marking Diaz but stood firm, won his battle with the Colombian, and played a key role in Madrid's clean sheet. AP -
Eder Militao - 8. Won 100 per cent of his aerial duels and both attempted tackles while also making three successful interceptions, the Brazilian was a rock amid relentless Liverpool attacks. AP -
David Alaba - 8. The Austrian was superb alongside Militao, winning four out of five ground duels, making four successful tackles, three interceptions, and three blocked shots. What an incredible free transfer Alaba has turned out to be. Reuters -
Ferland Mendy - 8. Had his hands full defensively against Salah but the Frenchman was excellent on the ball, achieving a 97 per cent passing accuracy and won 100 per cent of his one-on-one duels. AP -
Luka Modric - 7. Played a key role in the build-up to the goal and celebrated the Champions League triumph by announcing he had signed a new contract. A fifth European Cup for the ageless Croatian. Reuters -
Casemiro - 9. Superb from the Brazilian who delivered a vintage defensive midfield display, winning 5/5 aerial duels, 8/11 ground duels, and four tackles, as well as six ball recoveries. Getty -
Toni Kroos - 7. Quiet in the first half but grew into the game after the break, achieving 93 per cent passing accuracy including 100 per cent of his 11 attempted long balls. Getty -
Federico Valverde - 8. Preferred to Rodrygo on the right wing and it proved the right move from Carlo Ancelotti after the Spaniard played the killer pass for Vinicius Jr's winning goal. Beyond the assist, Valverde had a good game. AP -
Karim Benzema - 7. Capped a sensational season by winning a fifth Champions League title. There was to be no final goalscoring heroics but surely Benzema is headed for the Ballon d'Or. EPA -
Vinicius Junior - 9. A constant threat down Madrid's left flank and popped up with the game-winning goal. Vinicius finished the season with 22 goals and 20 assists. Getty -
SUBS: Eduardo Camavinga (Valverde 85') - N/A. Brought on for the final five minutes to help Madrid over the line. AP -
Dani Ceballos (Modric 90') - N/A. Provided fresh legs for injury time. Getty -
Rodrygo (Vinicius 90'+3) - N/A. AFP
"Thousands of British 'supporters' either without tickets or with fake ones forced their way through and sometimes behaved violently towards the stewards," he tweeted.
Police fired tear gas after several dozen people attempted to climb over barriers, with security staff having to round up about 20 fans who succeeded in clearing the fence and getting into the ground.
Thousands of supporters were still massed outside the stadium with half an hour to go until kick-off.
Liverpool, however, were adamant fans had been badly treated ahead of a match that Real won 1-0 thanks to Vinicius Junior's 59th-minute goal.
Real Madrid celebrate 14th European Cup
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Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 29, 2022. Reuters -
Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final. Getty -
Luka Modric kisses the trophy. Getty -
Marcelo lifts the trophy for Real Madrid. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring the only goal of the Champions League final against Liverpool. AP -
Real Madrid players celebrate after their victory in Paris. Getty -
Dejected Liverpool player Fabinho after the match. AP -
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates after the match. Getty -
Dejected Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid players celebrate after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Champions League. Reuters -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves from Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah in the second half. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores the opening goal. PA -
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid late in the first half but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. PA -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah fires a shot past Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. AFP -
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is shown a yellow card. AP -
A first-half shot from Liverpool's Sadio Mane beats Real keeper Thibaut Courtois but hits the post. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with teammates after scoring. PA -
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane sees his shot hit the post. Getty -
Vinicius Junior scores for Real Madrid. EPA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois catches a cross. AP -
Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines. EPA -
Liverpool's Luis Diaz shoots at goal. Getty -
Real attacker Karim Benzema scores but the goal was disallowed. Getty -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sees a shot saved in the first half by Real goakeeper Thibaut Courtois. Getty -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save from Mohamed Salah. Reuters -
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to cross the ball. Getty -
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. AFP -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois screams at his defence after Liverpool hit the post in the first half. PA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois under pressure from Liverpool's Jordan Henderson. EPA -
Liverpool's Sadio Mane reacts to a challenge from Real midfielder Casemiro. EPA
"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," the English club said in a statement.
"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."
Football Supporters Europe, a lobby group, said fans were not to blame for the "fiasco" at the Stade de France, while Robertson hit out at the organisers.
"One of my mates got told it was a fake, which I assure you it wasn't. It was a shambles really," Robertson, 28, told the BBC. "To be honest, people were just making it up at times and panicking. Teargas getting thrown at people was unacceptable.
"It was horrendous for our fans and all families that have been through it as well. It wasn't a nice experience, not a nice final to come to. The Champions League should be a celebration but it wasn't that."
Nearly 7,000 police were deployed for the event to deal with between 30,000 and 40,000 Liverpool fans thought to have travelled to Paris without tickets.
A fan zone with a capacity of 44,000 was set up for them on an avenue in the east of the French capital.
French police said early Sunday they had arrested a ticket tout who had been selling around 50 fake tickets near the Liverpool fan zone.
