Hundreds of Liverpool fans expected through John Lennon Airport ahead of Champions League final

Some fans are already in Paris to see the Reds take on Real Madrid

Author: Seb CheerPublished 27th May 2022

Hundreds of Liverpool fans are expected to pass through Liverpool John Lennon Airport this morning, heading to Paris to see the Reds try and bring home a seventh European cup.

They take on 13-time winners Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

Local authorities in France expect up to 70,000 supporters to be in Paris, with military personnel being deployed to help.

Prefecture de Police, the Parisian police force, said 6,800 officers and military personnel will be "mobilised", with flares prohibited from the fan zone.

A statement from the force read: "Any gathering involving protest is prohibited and illegal objects or objects considered dangerous will not be permitted (weapons, sharp objects, pyrotechnic articles, glass objects, alcohol)."

It said up to 44,000 supporters will be permitted in the area, which will remain open until the end of the match.

The zone will open from 2pm local time with fans able to access it for free.

It comes as some fans began the journey earlier in the week, with a small number seen in and around the city on Thursday evening.

Some were congregated in the Kop Bar and Lush Bar, two Liverpool-themed pubs, chanting and singing and holding banners and flags.

Hadrien Agnew-Francois, 27, a customer service worker who heads a French Liverpool supporters' group, told the PA news agency: "It's been great here, there are already some fans in the bars, singing and having fun.

"There's plenty here for everyone to have a great time to remember, it will be a party, even if you don't have a ticket - there will be so many Reds here.

"Actually one in 10 people I have spoken to do not have a ticket, so that means people are just here to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the absolute madness."

However, he warned of scammers selling fake tickets for inflated prices, some of which are said to be being offered for up to £4,000.

Mr Agnew-Francois added: "Sometimes it can be too good to be true, do not try to buy tickets from someone unofficially, it's too much money and the risk is too big, come here and enjoy the atmosphere but don't get scammed."

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