The Athletic

Hello and welcome to the Athletic Football podcast on Dan Bardell.

The main focus of today's podcast will be Saturday's Champions League final,

but not unfortunately what went on on the pitch. The game was delayed by 36 minutes as Liverpool

fans were stuck outside the stadium with photos and videos showing police firing pepper spray

in the build-up to the game. The game was originally delayed by 15 minutes before the Liverpool

players emerged for a second warm-up nearly 10 minutes after the originally scheduled kickoff time.

The match was then delayed again before a further 6-minute delay until 8.36pm.

UEFA claimed that the final was delayed because Liverpool fans arrived at the stadium late, which as we've all seen and heard from numerous accounts,

was far from the case.

Alongside me today is the athletics Adam Crafton and Ollie Kaye, who was actually at the game.

But before I speak to the panel, here are the accounts from two fans James Pear spoke to.

First you're going to hear from Liverpool fan Peter Clarkson, who was caught up in the issues outside the ground,

followed by Kyle Clemente, who was with his nine-year-old son. Peter Clarkson, who was caught up in the issues outside the ground, followed by Kyle Clemente, who was with his nine-year-old son.

Peter Clarkson, been watching Liverpool for 20 years.

Fifth European Cup final, and that was just the worst.

It was most scared of ever been in my life.

Got off the train about half six,

finally got in the ground about five to nine. But we got, followed the crowd

from the train station, stuck for 20 minutes waiting, no explanation, then funneled between

two police fans, just no organisation, no signposting, saw Mike Gordon, he said it was appalling,

pleading with police to help,

...