Paddy Pimblett Recalls Terrifying Champions League Final Trip, Machete-Wielding Gangs Robbed Liverpool Fans

Paddy Pimblett has recalled his terrifying experience at the Champions League final last weekend and claimed Liverpool fans were robbed by gangs carrying machetes.

Last weekend's clash between the Reds and Real Madrid was overshadowed by scenes prior to kick-off, with the game delayed for 36 minutes after French police held fans outside the Stade de France.

The unsavoury incidents went viral on social media, but UFC sensation Pimblett believes what happened post-match was just as serious.

"When we came out of that ground there was groups of 30 men running around in big packs and some of them had weapons, some of them had machetes, knives, bars, bats, and stuff like that," the 27-year-old told RMC.

"You just had to try and get away from the ground but people were getting pinned to the floor and getting their watch taken off them."

'The Baddy' was also caught up in the melee outside the ground and fans were tear gassed as well as pepper sprayed.

UEFA had claimed the cause was Liverpool fans with fake tickets and the same spin was put on the madness by French officials.

Football's governing body have since apologised to both Liverpool and Real fans for being put through 'frightening and distressing events'.

"Even before the game, I saw a few tickets getting snatched, people running away with tickets," Pimblett continued.

"Obviously, getting in was bad with the police tear-gassing everyone.

"The little sections we had to get through to the ground was ridiculous, they were squashing thousands and thousands of people in between little gaps, and when we asked the police what was going on they were just laughing at us.

"As I say though, I’ve never been so scared for my own safety and the people around me as I was when I came out of that ground on Saturday night.

"I saw people with machetes running around. The only thing I can compare it to is the movie The Purge where you can do what you want for 12 hours. There was no laws for 12 hours you could do what you want."

Pimblett then declared he'd never return to the stadium or the city of Paris again.

"I’d never go back to that stadium ever again.

"I’ve said I’ll never go to Paris with the Mrs. They say it’s a romantic place but after that, I’ll never take her there."

Featured Image Credit: Paddy Pimblett/Instagram & Barstool Sports

Topics: Paddy Pimblett, Liverpool, UFC

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_