France Blames Mass Ticket Fraud as Policing Row Rages Over Champions League Finals

A fan is held by a police officer and a steward inside the stadium by the turnstiles as the Champions League final match between Liverpool and Real Madrid is delayed at Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

France’s sports minister has blamed Liverpool supporters for the crowd chaos before the Champions League final.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said Liverpool fans without tickets or with fake tickets sparked chaos outside the Stade de France on Saturday, but admitted local youth trying to force their way into the ground exacerbated the problem.