Liverpool fans haunted by Hillsborough memories during Paris ordeal

Liverpool fans feared a repeat of the Hillsborough disaster during terrifying scenes that saw them funnelled into overcrowded corridors and met with tear gas by French police when trying to enter the Champions League final in Paris.

French authorities have tried to pin the blame for the chaos that saw kick-off to the Reds' 1-0 loss to Real Madrid delayed by more than 30 minutes on "industrial-scale" fraud in fake tickets.

However, that account has been angrily rejected by dismayed supporters, who raised doubts over France's ability to host upcoming major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup and Olympic Games.

Liverpool fans contacted by AFP stressed the disarray caused by the lack of signage around the stadium guiding them to the right gates.

The lack of ticket checks on the stadium perimeter have also been blamed as eye-witnesses said many young locals joined the queues with thousands of Liverpool fans outside to try and force their way in.

Claims by the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin that the action of police had "saved lives" has riled a fanbase that had to fight for justice for the 97 fans killed by a crush in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

"It took you back to Hillsborough if you were unfortunate enough to be at Hillsborough in 1989," Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, told AFP. "Those sort of scenes really did flash back to that day.

"It was a complete lack of leadership or management, It was horrific.

"For a Champions League final, the blue riband event of football in Europe, to be policed in such a manner, to have crowd management in such a manner it was so wrong. It was unforgivable."

UEFA initially pinned the blame for a delay to the game as fans "arriving late".

But tens of thousands had been