Champions League final delayed with fans stuck outside Stade de France

The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was delayed by more than half an hour with fans stuck outside the Stade de France.

Significant queues formed as supporters tried to enter and thousands were left waiting at the gates at the national stadium in Paris.

With kick-off fast approaching, UEFA announced the game had been delayed by 15 minutes due to fans arriving late. 

A further statement — citing security issues — was released with the match pushed back by a further 15 minutes.

A French police statement pointed the finger at those trying to gain entry. It said: "Supporters attempted to penetrate the stadium. They forced their way through the first filter. 

"The screening at the Stade de France is watertight."

A UEFA statement later added: "In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets that 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 are 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." 

Sky Sports News' chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol was among a group of supporters targeted with tear gas outside the Stade de France. 

Solhekol said: "Me and three of my crew were tear-gassed for no reason whatsoever by the French police. 

"It was a pretty nasty experience but we sorted it out by getting a few bottles of water and pouring it in our eyes. We are all fine. 

"The situation here is a bit of a strange one. I think what has happened is a lot of people have turned up at the stadium without tickets. 

"From what I've seen, even at the Liverpool fan park, the French police's attitude has been very heavy-handed with absolutely zero tolerance. 

"They don't care how much of a crush is developing and they are insisting on searching absolutely everybody before they let them through.

"I can only say from what I've seen as an eyewitness myself, but I haven't seen any Liverpool supporters whatsoever causing any problem at all. 

"I haven't seen them turning up late, I was quite shocked at how early supporters had turned up at the stadium.

"We got here about four hours before kick-off, expecting it to be quite quiet. But it felt like it was an hour before kick-off because so many people had arrived early and in good time."

Having already completed their warm-ups, Liverpool and Real returned to the dressing rooms as the situation unfolded.

Shortly after 8pm BST, the original kick-off time, both sides came back to the field to continue their preparations. 

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claimed there were scenes of "extraordinary chaos" outside the stadium. 

He added: "There are plenty of people getting in with no tickets. Shambles and dangerous."

The game finally kicked off after a 36-minute delay as Jurgen Klopp's Carabao Cup and FA Cup holders locked horns with Carlo Ancelotti's LaLiga champions. 

And it was the Spanish giants who went on to lift the trophy. 

Vinicius Junior netted the only goal of the game after 59 minutes to hand Real their 14th European Cup/Champions League success.