Liverpool’s Andy Robertson challenges official accounts of Paris final chaos

The Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has criticised the handling of fans at the Champions League final by French police and challenged Uefa’s account of problems outside the Stade de France after teargas was used on those trapped outside the ground.

Thousands of supporters missed the kick-off against Real Madrid, which was delayed by 36 minutes because of worrying congestion problems that resulted in large numbers stuck around around the perimeter for several hours.

However, more concerning was the chaotic way authorities chose to deal with the situation. French police inside the fence used teargas on fans outside after Gate Y, one of the two main gates on a narrow walkway which 20,000 supporters were trying to access, was closed for up to an hour in the lead up to kick-off in response to the growing frustration of fans queuing to get in and being delayed by problems scanning tickets and security searches. Several Liverpool supporters with tickets, growing concerned for their safety, gave up on trying to get in to the game and left the scene.

Robertson revealed many of the players’ families and friends were caught up in the chaos and said: “You have to have some sympathy because this was thrown on Paris kind of the last minute with all that has gone on with Russia.” The final was moved from St Petersburg after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

“But as a Uefa competition it is the biggest game in world football and it should be organised a lot better. Things like that should not be happening and definitely the force used by certain authorities should not be happening either.

“Pretty much all our families were affected. I can only speak for my family and all I know is everyone is safe and that’s my main priority.