(Reuters) – France’s sports ministry will meet with police and soccer officials on Monday to discuss the chaotic scenes at the Stade de France before and during Saturday’s Champions League final, sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said.
The final between Liverpool and Real Madrid kicked off with a 35-minute delay after police tried to hold back people attempting to force their way into the French national stadium without tickets, while some ticket holders complained they were not let in.
Reuters TV footage showed riot police chasing people outside the stadium as they ran away and others being escorted away. Dozens of individuals forced their way into the stadium premises and others outside, including children, were tear-gassed by riot police, a Reuters witness said.
European soccer’s governing body UEFA, France’s soccer federation (FFF) and police will be present at the meeting.
Oudea-Castera said on Twitter that the purpose of the meeting was to analyse the incidents that took place and “learn lessons for our major sporting events”.
France will host the Olympic Games in 2024 and the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
Britain’s minister for sport Nadine Dorries and Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan have called for an investigation into the scenes at the stadium.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
