The riots before the Champions final were caused by counterfeit tickets

2022-05-29 15:10:15Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The riots before the Champions final were caused by counterfeit tickets

Chaotic scenes at the Stad de France before and during Saturday night's Champions League final were described as a national embarrassing, while French ministers blamed Liverpool fans for the unrest.

The final between Liverpool and Real Madrid began with a 35-minute delay as police tried to restrain people trying to forcibly enter the Stade de France without tickets, while some ticket holders complained they were not allowed.

Television footage showed footage of the youths jumping out of the stadium gates and running. Other people outside, including children, were confronted with tear gas by riot police, a Reuters witness said.

UEFA blamed counterfeit tickets for causing the problem and said it would review the events along with French authorities and the French Football Federation.

France's Interior and Sports Ministers blame it on "British" supporters.

"Thousands of British 'supporters' without a ticket or falsely have entered by force and, at times, have again exerted violence on the stadium staff", Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter, thanking the French police.

"Attempts at interference and fraud by thousands of English supporters complicated the work of stadium staff and police, but will not tarnish this event," Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera wrote.

Liverpool Football Club also issued a statement, saying: "We are extremely disappointed by the problems of entering the stadium and the breakdown of the security perimeter faced by Liverpool fans.

"We have formally requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.

Scenes at the stadium caused outrage in France, with politicians on all sides calling it a national disgrace.

 


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