- The European soccer authority, UEFA, has ordered an investigation into the Champions League final.
- Police reportedly used pepper spray and tear gas on crowds outside the Real Madrid-Liverpool match.
- The treatment of Liverpool fans was "appalling" and "horrific," some British lawmakers said.
The governing body of European soccer, UEFA, has announced it will run an independent investigation into the crowd-control and ticketing mishaps that unfolded at the Champions League final on May 28.
The Saturday match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid, which was held at Estade de France in Paris, was delayed by 35 minutes after spectators had trouble entering the stadium. Crowds were held outside by police, who reportedly used tear gas and pepper spray against Liverpool supporters who waiting to be let in.
Videos of the scene showed multiple people crossing fences without tickets as well as crowds breaking into the stadium. British lawmakers described the treatment of Liverpool fans as "appalling" and "horrific."
—Dr Sach Mohan (@SachMohan) May 28, 2022
Real Madrid beat Liverpool the match 1-0 to become the most successful soccer club in the history of the Champions League, with 14 titles.
In a tweet on Saturday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin blamed the disruptions at the final on "thousand of British 'fans'" who either had no tickets or fake tickets, then tried to force their way into the stadium by assaulting stewards.
On Monday, Darmanin claimed there were 30,000 to 40,000 British fans without a ticket or with counterfeit tickets, CNN reported.
British lawmakers disputed those figures. British lawmaker Ian Byrne wrote in a letter to the UK's foreign secretary that claims of fans trying to use fake tickets were "utter nonsense."
Byrne, a Liverpool fan who attended the match himself, said in the letter that "the situation outside the ground was one of the most horrendous experiences of my life."
On Monday, UEFA released a statement announcing an independent investigation, stating that "the comprehensive review will examine decision making, responsibility and behaviours of all entities involved in the final."
UEFA has tapped Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, who recently served as Portugal's Minister of Education, to spearhead the report. Brandão Rodrigues will work pro bono "to guarantee his independent status in the process," according to UEFA's statement.
The statement said that "evidence will be gathered from all relevant parties and the findings of the independent report will be made public once completed" and that "upon receipt of the findings, UEFA will evaluate the next steps."
