A frankly shambolic scene is currently in the process of unfolding ahead of the Champions League final in Paris.
A long and altogether gruelling season across Europe is of course primed to come to a close this evening, when Liverpool and Real Madrid do battle on the grandest stage of them all.
After ousting Villarreal and Manchester City in their respective semi-final ties, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos will go toe-to-toe once more, in a redo of the 2018 Champions League showpiece.
As fans will no doubt be well aware, kick-off in the clash was originally pencilled in for 9pm local time in France, the norm for UEFA showcase occasions.
And yet, as things stand, a ball is yet to be kicked at the Stade de France…
This comes owing to a string of utterly ridiculous developments in and around the Paris-based ground.
A disastrous security setup left thousands of supporters, for the most part of a Liverpool persuasion, stuck in lengthy queues, sparking fears of a potential crush as many were forced into corners and narrow routes towards the stadium’s entrances.
This, in turn, culminated in fans both with and without tickets bypassing security altogether by means of climbing over gates and fences around the Stade de France:
— No Context Football (@NoContextFootie) May 28, 2022
People are getting into the #UCLfinal for free ??? pic.twitter.com/qjiSYMKTed
— BenchWarmers?? (@BeWarmers) May 28, 2022
L’organisation de cette finale est un fiasco.
? @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/2RWOujvA61
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) May 28, 2022
And the scenes soon turned ever uglier, as the police presence in attendance showcased little restraint in making use of canisters of pepper spray:
This is fucking outrageous. pic.twitter.com/vuSTQblwzq
— Andy’s Football Tips (@AndyRobsonTips) May 28, 2022
Validate pepper spraying 8yr olds, you rats @uefa @MerPolLFC @LFC pic.twitter.com/9x0YBh99nK
— Michael (@28mikec) May 28, 2022
The brother of Liverpool defender Joel Matip was one such individual caught up in the chaos on Saturday night, forced to usher his family to safety after clouds of tear gas left his pregnant wife in a dangerous situation:
Update Paris: Massive chaos in front of the stadium. The brother of Joel Matip, Marvin, had to flee with his family while they tried to get access in the stadium. His wife is pregnant. Tear gas! They had to take refuge in a restaurant. @SkySportDE
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 28, 2022
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