Andy Robertson Slams UEFA For 'Shambles' Organisation Of Champions League Final In Honest Post-Match Interview

Andy Robertson has labelled the organisation of Saturday night's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid as "horrendous" and a "shambles" after chaos broke out before kick-off.

The chaotic pre-match scenes at the Stade de France marred one of the biggest nights in the football calendar.

Reports of security guards being "overwhelmed" emerged over an hour before kick-off and soon, footage emerged of fans jumping the gates of the Stade de France after the match was delayed by more than 30 minutes.

Pepper spraying fans outside stadium in Paris pic.twitter.com/drgzEpR9gD

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) May 28, 2022

In the hours before kick-off, police carrying riot gear were filmed spraying tear gas at Liverpool supporters, who were forced to queue in an incredibly small bottleneck before entering the stadium.

#UCL Final delay: How it happened 👇

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol is outside the Stade de France where "the situation has now calmed down." pic.twitter.com/gkQ0krPVTF

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 28, 2022

UEFA have since released a statement blaming 'fake tickets' for the chaos.

“In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles," the statement read. "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 has blamed fans with "fake tickets" for causing delays outside the Stade de France, while Liverpool has requested a formal investigation. pic.twitter.com/9BFg631o6p

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 28, 2022

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson spoke about the organisation of the final in his post-match interview, and mentioned that one of his friends was told his ticket was fake.

"One of my mates got told it was a fake which I assure you it wasn't. It was a shambles really," the Scot told BBC Sport.

"To be honest people were just making it up at times and panicking. Tear gas getting thrown at people was unacceptable.

"It was horrendous for our fans and all families that have been through it as well. It wasn't a nice experience, not a nice final to come to. The Champions League should be a celebration but it wasn't that.

"Obviously the final wasn't meant to be here and whether the preparations were not as good as maybe they should have been but I am sure in the coming days an inquest will go into that."

🗣️ "Somebody told one of my mates he's got a fake ticket..."#LFC Andy Robertson says the Champions League final was 'not well organised' 🔴 pic.twitter.com/oIalnkN9Rf

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 29, 2022

A Meseyside Police spokesman later described the scenes before kick-off as the worst they had ever experienced.

“MERPOL was deployed to this evening’s match," a statement read.

“Can only describe it as the worst European match I’ve ever worked or experienced. I thought the behaviour of the fans at the turnstiles was exemplary in shocking circumstances. You were not late 100%.”

#CLFINAL @LFCHELP @SPIRITOFSHANKLY
MERPOL was deployed to this evenings match. Can only describe it as the worst European match I've ever worked or experienced. I thought the behaviour of the fans at the turnstiles was exemplary in shocking circumstances. You were not late 100%

— MerPol Liverpool FC (@MerPolLFC) May 28, 2022

Liverpool have since confirmed that they have officially requested a formal investigation into the incident at the Stade de France.

"We are hugely disappointed at the stadium entry issues and breakdown of the security perimeter that Liverpool fans faced this evening at Stade de France," a statement read.

"This is the greatest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight.

"We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues."