UK minister backs Liverpool fans

Britain's sports minister says he wants an "urgent explanation" for the chaotic scenes outside the Olympic Stadium in Athens …

Britain's sports minister says he wants an "urgent explanation" for the chaotic scenes outside the Olympic Stadium in Athens at Wednesday's Champions League final.

Mr Richard Caborn will raise the issue with Uefa president Michel Platini when they meet on June 5th in Brussels.

European football's governing body blamed Liverpool fans without tickets or those with forgeries gaining access to the stadium and forcing Greek police to declare the ground full.

Mr Caborn said: "I have a lot of sympathy with the Liverpool fans who paid their hard-earned money for genuine tickets but couldn't get into the ground.

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"The reasons for this need an urgent explanation. We have already raised the matter with the Greek authorities through our embassy in Athens and government officials are also talking with Uefa.

But Uefa communications director William Gaillard insisted the Greek police had been forced into a position where they could not prevent some ticketless fans moving barriers without provoking a riot.

Mr Gaillard said: "What's a disgrace is the behaviour of some Liverpool fans who deprived the rightful holders of tickets from entering the ground.

"There was not a single incident involving AC Milan fans, and when Celtic were in the UEFA Cup final in Seville a few years ago there were three times as many fans outside the ground as inside and their was perfect behaviour."

Mr Gaillard added: "I believe the police behaved in a very civilised way to avoid anyone being hurt, or worse."

PA