The Champions League final kick-off has been delayed as a result of chaos outside the Stade de France. The stadium announcer confirmed at 8.46pm local time – 14 minutes before kick-off – that the start of the game had been delayed.
Numerous Liverpool fans were caught in queues attempting to enter the stadium and branded the situation a "nightmare". A message on big screens around the stadium read: "Due to an security issue the match has been delayed. Further information will follow in 15 minutes".
It was later confirmed the match would kick-off at a revised time of 9:30pm local time, 8:30pm in the UK.
Liverpool players re-emerged to warm-up at 9.06pm local time – six minutes after the scheduled kick-off. Real Madrid players began to follow shortly after. UEFA said the delay was due to “security reasons” but the Stade de France screens claimed it was “due to the late arrival of fans”.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid LIVE: UEFA confirm kickoff delayed due to crowd issues, live stream and updates
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Liverpool fans slam "nightmare" queues as hundreds risk missing kick-off at Stade de France
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A lack of organisation meant there were shambolic scenes outside the Stade de France. Long queues formed and the Liverpool end was noticeably patchy less than half an hour before kick-off as supporters struggled to get in.
A few ticketless fans were seen trying to gain access to the Stade de France, despite a permanent fence being in place around the perimeter. Shortly after the delay, BT Sport confirmed that tear gas had been used outside the stadium to deal with the situation.
"It is so sad and obviously everything has to be military precision out there," said Michael Owen. "We don't know what's gone on, but it is sad to hear."
"We pray for people's safety," said Rio Ferdinand. "You come to football to be entertained."
There were hundreds of empty seats in the Liverpool end after fans were caught in a "nightmare" outside
There were hundreds of empty seats in the Liverpool end after fans were caught in a "nightmare" outside ( Image:
PA)
Speaking to AP while queuing up outside the ground, a fan said: "It's absolutely horrendous. There's a bottleneck down there and there's literally a six-foot gap for maybe 20,000 Liverpool fans to get in.
"We are absolutely being pushed from pillar to post. I have an 82-year-old father in law here. And it's just madness. I'm really sorry but there are just thousands behind us."
"Nightmare... horrendous queues just to get to first check, all the fans won't get in at this rate," one Liverpool fan told The Times. Another supporter tweeted: "Sort it out guys, people not getting in quick enough. Long long queues and less than an hour till kick-off. Look at the 'Pool side of the stadium it's empty because they're all outside!!!"
There was drama for Liverpool in a footballing sense ahead of the big game after Thiago Alcantara appeared to suffer an injury in the warm-up. The midfielder, who was a doubt in the run-up to the game, was seen walking into the tunnel alone as Naby Keita moved into the starting XI group.
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However, Thiago returned and, after spending some time warming up alone, had long chats with Jurgen Klopp and Keita and appeared to confirm he was fit to start.
Gerrard claimed that situation could make the delay beneficial for his former side, stating: "It looks like Liverpool have had a situation in the warm-up as well so it might be beneficial to have an extra 15 minutes. It's not ideal but you have got to get on with it."
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story.