Liverpool FC fans have been praised for their heroic actions pulling fellow supporters to safety amid ugly scenes outside the Stade de France last night.
LFC fans went to the aid of their fellow supporters as the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of people. The disturbing scenes outside the stadium ahead of the Reds' Champions League final saw fans wedged together and French police using pepper spray on supporters including children and families.
In a public statement last night UEFA said the issues were due to "thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets". But Merseyside Police praised fans for their "exemplary" behaviour at the stadium.
READ MORE: UEFA blames fake tickets after disturbing scenes at Champions League final
In a tweet an officer said: "MERPOL was deployed to this evening's match. Can only describe it as the worst European match I've ever worked or experienced."
A number of tweets from LFC fans praised the actions of their fellow supporters for keeping people safe and saving them from the "crush" around the stadium. One person tweeted one man "was pulling kids out of a crush at the game" before adding "people would be seriously hurt if it wasn’t for this lad".
The man, named on Twitter by a friend as Kirk, was praised by another fan who said: "This fella was brilliant, helped us all. First initiative was to help all the children get to safety, then helped two of my mates who were blind successfully get out, absolute hero."
Another fan, Lydia Davies, said three fans helped her find her way again after she became separated from friends outside the stadium. She said: "I got separated from my group today in the fan zone. Three Scousers helped me find my way again. No one quiet like us. Hope everyone gets home safe."
After the ugly events Liverpool FC put out a statement requesting a formal investigation. A statement said: "We are hugely disappointed at the stadium entry issues and breakdown of the security perimeter that Liverpool fans faced this evening at Stade de France.
"This is the greatest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight. We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues."
UEFA said : "In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles. This created a build-up of fans trying to get in. As a result, the kick off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets to gain access.
"As numbers outside the stadium continued to build up after kick off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the stadium. UEFA is sympathetic to those affected by these events and will further review these matters urgently together with the French police and authorities, and with the French Football Federation."
