Thread by @thisismpearson

On my way out of Paris, so here’s a chronological thread on my experience covering the #UCLfinal for @dw_sports.

Went to the Liverpool fan park in the south east of the city mid afternoon. It was broadly separated in to two areas. One with a stage and entertainment but no alcohol. The other basically a large park with cans (as seen here). #UCLfinal

I stayed there for an hour or so. It seemed to me to be friendly, relatively controlled and fun. At this stage, the policing was fairly light touch. #UCLfinal

I left there, as did plenty of Liverpool fans, just after 5. The metro was packed and sweaty but the atmosphere was good. The locals were joining in, the odd Real fan was welcomed and anyone vulnerable was kept an eye on. #UCLfinal

We changed lines to get to the stadium, spirits still high. Even the police were enjoying the spectacle at this point. As you can see here, they’re smiling and seem to be filming for themselves. #UCLfinal

This is where things take a turn. You’ll have seen the bottleneck created to get your ticket checked next to the motorway. When I arrived, about 5.45-6, there were about 6 stewards checking the tickets of a huge number of fans.

It was quite clearly inadequate.

I’d say it took me about 45 minutes to get through. When I did the security guard grabbed my press lanyard from me and told me it was not valid. It was and I was fortunate that another steward confirmed that after I’d shown my press card. #UCLfinal

Some were turned back at this point but it was calm, given conditions.

I saw some young French lads trying to crop a screenshot of a ticket and there were undoubtedly a few trying their luck. Ticket pricing and allocation plays a part here as my colleague @matt_4d has covered.

Once I got through, the concourse was pretty empty, as were the stands at that point. But with about 3 hours to go, you’d expect that.

Anyone who had seen that bottleneck would, or should, have been aware how problematic it could become. #UCLfinal

As kick off drew closer, the Real Madrid end started to fill up but Liverpool’s end was pretty sparse.

It’s pretty clear why and word started to filter through that kick off might be delayed. It soon was, and UEFA decided to pin the blame on fans turning up late.

Close to the original kick off time of 21:00, I went outside to see what was going on. There was a bit of a commotion by the gate and security soon called in the riot police.

The voice you can hear is a nearby Liverpool fan. I can’t verify what he’s saying is true. #UCLfinal

I went a bit further round the concourse as the match was starting (over 30 minutes late).

A significant number of Liverpool fans, who presumably had tickets, were finally being allowed in. Many I’ve spoken to say they waited 2-3 hours under that motorway bridge.

I stayed outside, where you could taste the gas in the air. Fans said police were using it liberally, including on children. That was the other side of the gate, so I can’t verify.

At this point, I got gassed while filming an altercation. You can see it here. #UCLfinal

Most fans on the other side of the fence, like the guy in this video, were civil and calm but there were also some who were extremely frustrated by their treatment.

It was around this point that security guards tried to stop journalists and cameramen filming. #UCLfinal

The gas was very uncomfortable, my eyes and nose were stinging badly.

I was fortunate enough to be able to go back in the media centre, wash everything out and have some water. I doubt most fans were as lucky. #UCLfinal

As far as I could see, the situation seemed to calm down just before half time. The atmosphere in the ground seemed heavy, understandably. #UCLfinal

After the match, which felt secondary, I filed this story for @dw_sports and hung around in the mixed zone for a bit, leaving the ground about 1.

Normally when working at a stadium, things are quiet by the time you leave. google.com/amp/s/amp.dw.c…

It was not quiet. A couple of TV colleagues and I tried for two hours to get a cab (due to their equipment). The motorway that runs alongside the ground was gridlocked, the train stations were chaotic and there is almost nowhere for fans to go post match on Saint Denis. #UCLfinal

I’ve since heard numerous fans, including the father and son who checked out before me say they were mugged on the trains at this point. For my part, it was a pretty wild atmosphere - there was definite edge.

Saint Denis is not a great spot for a game like this. #UCLfinal

We made it back to somewhere near our hotel about 3.30 I think. So 2 and a half hours.

There are countless fans who’ve had it worse than me and paid for it.

Of course, there were a few shady characters knocking about too. You’ll likely get that in any large group. #UCLfinal

But, as in the final of Euro 2020, UEFA seem to have treated fans as an afterthought.

It’s like organisers have never been to a match as a fan. Perhaps they haven’t. Here’s what I wrote from Wembley last year. An equally grim occasion. google.com/amp/s/amp.dw.c…

That’s about it. Except to say that we will be looking to follow this up @dw_sports and my DMs are open to any fans who want to get in touch.

Hope everyone gets back safe. #UCLfinal

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has read and engaged with this thread. I've spoken to plenty of Liverpool fans and a @FansEurope rep to try and get a clearer picture of exactly what happened at the #UCLfinal

Story here - dw.com/en/what-went-w…