Thousands of Liverpool supporters faced chaotic conditions ahead of the Champions League final at Paris' Stade de France on May 28, 2022, as overcrowding, tear gas, and disputed ticket controls disrupted the event. Daniel Austin, a 27-year-old fan, described the experience as "one of the worst of my life" after enduring hours of delays and tense security measures.
Security Bottlenecks and Police Tactics ¶
Arriving hours before kickoff, fans were funneled through narrow checkpoints that created dangerous bottlenecks. Rob Draper, a British football journalist, noted police vehicles obstructing pathways, forcing crowds into cramped spaces. Austin spent an hour in an underpass during the heat before officials abandoned ticket checks, triggering a rush as fans surged forward.
At Gate Z, Liverpool fans were locked out for 2.5 hours, contradicting UEFA’s claim that delays stemmed from late arrivals. Police refused to let the crowd retreat as conditions worsened, with Austin describing a panic attack and people struggling to breathe in the packed space.
Tear Gas and Frustration ¶
As police focused on preventing unauthorized entries, French youths scaled stadium fences, prompting officers to deploy tear gas. Videos showed police spraying gas directly at waiting fans, including a 90-year-old woman and children. Pete Blades, 57, alleged excessive force after a teenager was injured, comparing the scene to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
"The French police brought violence to a peaceful event," Austin said. "It was a minor miracle no one died." Despite the turmoil, Liverpool fans remained largely calm, though outrage grew over claims of fake tickets.
Allegations and Denials ¶
UEFA blamed "fake tickets" for entry delays, while French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accused Liverpool fans of orchestrating an "industrial-scale fraud" involving 30,000 to 40,000 forged tickets. Austin dismissed the claims as "a barefaced lie," noting the physical impossibility of such numbers.
"The French police brought violence to a peaceful event," he said. "It was a minor miracle no one died." Real Madrid won 1-0, but the match’s preparation overshadowed the result.
