Champions League final kick-off delayed as fans struggle to get into stadium

The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid has been delayed by 30 minutes after fans struggled to get into the stadium in Paris before kick-off.

Liverpool fans had experienced difficulty getting past security at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Queues of supporters could be seen at security check-points, despite many arriving up to two hours before kick-off.

The final was initially delayed by 15 minutes before it was pushed back by a futher 15 minutes to 8:30pm BST, according to Uefa.

Uefa said the decision had been made due to the “late arrival of fans at the stadium”. The governing body also said it was due to “security reasons”.

However, some supporters who arrived even three hours before kick-off had still been unable to get in on time.

The broadcaster Kelly Cates – the daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish – tweeted one hour before kick-off: “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.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted from the stadium: “Finding it impossible to get in the ground. This appears to be very dangerous. Absolute carnage.”

There were also reports of riot police being called outside the stadium and pepper spray being used.

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.

This is the third time that the Stade de France has hosted the Champions League final but there seemed a distinct lack of organisation around this occasion.

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