Liverpool’s Robertson Slams Organizers for Champions League Final Chaos

Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (C) reacts on the pitch after Madrid 's victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (AFP)
Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (C) reacts on the pitch after Madrid 's victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (AFP)
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Liverpool’s Robertson Slams Organizers for Champions League Final Chaos

Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (C) reacts on the pitch after Madrid 's victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (AFP)
Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (C) reacts on the pitch after Madrid 's victory in the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (AFP)

Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson labelled the organization of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid a "shambles" after kick-off was delayed for 35 minutes due to fans trying to force their way into the Stade de France in Paris.

Riot police fired teargas at fans as chaos ensued near the Liverpool end of the ground, which governing body UEFA said was caused by fake tickets that did not work in the turnstiles.

Robertson said a friend was denied entry to the game, which Real won 1-0 to claim a record-extending 14th European Cup.

"One of my mates got told it was a fake, which I assure you it wasn't. It was a shambles really," the 28-year-old told the BBC. "To be honest, people were just making it up at times and panicking. Teargas getting thrown at people was unacceptable."

Liverpool have demanded an official investigation into the incident and said they were hugely disappointed at the entry issues faced by their supporters.

"It was horrendous for our fans and all families that have been through it as well. It wasn't a nice experience, not a nice final to come to. The Champions League should be a celebration but it wasn't that," Robertson said.

The final was moved from St Petersburg to Paris by UEFA following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said the families of some players struggled to get into the stadium.

"What I heard is that we will have further investigations to figure out what was going on there. I heard a few things that were not good, not nice," the German said.

"Obviously it was pretty tricky out there, but I don't know more about it."



Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
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Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)

The Premier League has rejected Manchester City's request to postpone the first two games of the 2025-26 season to help the players recover after their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the US, the club's manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City and Chelsea are the two English clubs who have qualified for the expanded month-long Club World Cup set to start on June 15. The Premier League's season will begin in August.

An increasingly packed football calendar has been a concern among a growing number of players and managers. A report by global players' union FIFPRO said some players get only 12% of the year to rest.

The Premier League did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

City midfielder Rodri said in September that players could be close to strike action over the time they are required to play. A knee ligament injury has since put him out for the season.

"I don’t know if we will play more games than the treble year (2022-23)... maybe we'll play less games," Guardiola told reporters.

"The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much. They don't postpone these games so that will be the moment of, oh, what do we have to do?"

He said the Club World Cup will make it even more difficult for clubs to manage player workload.