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| Champions League final: Fans arriving at Wembley Stadium | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Thousands of excited football fans have begun arriving at Wembley Stadium for the Champions League final. | |
| The Manchester United v Barcelona game is due to kick off at 1945 BST. | The Manchester United v Barcelona game is due to kick off at 1945 BST. |
| Supporters of both teams have been congregating outside the stadium, where a huge police operation is under way to ensure the game passes peacefully. | |
| The game is set to be the most-watched football game between two club sides ever, with up to 300m people expected to view it worldwide. | |
| The bumper viewer figures are expected partly because the final is to be held on a Saturday for the first time, and also because both clubs have such a huge following. | |
| It is being billed as the biggest sporting event in the UK until the London 2012 Olympics. | |
| Meanwhile Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said he will not attend the game because he is preparing for an ethics committee hearing following bribery allegations. | |
| Blatter has not commented on the proceedings but said: "The facts will speak for themselves." | |
| Some 1,000 police officers are involved in the operation across London. So far there has been no trouble, according to a Metropolitan Police spokesman. | |
| Officers from Manchester and Spain are working with the Met to spot trouble and anyone trying to take flares into the stadium. | |
| The Met has revealed that officers from the Spanish force will be on duty in London during the game. | |
| "A Catalan speaking officer from the Met will be liaising with the Spanish police during the event and will be on hand to assist with fans if required," a spokesman said. | "A Catalan speaking officer from the Met will be liaising with the Spanish police during the event and will be on hand to assist with fans if required," a spokesman said. |
| "Police spotters from Greater Manchester Police and Spanish police will be working alongside uniformed Met spotters. | "Police spotters from Greater Manchester Police and Spanish police will be working alongside uniformed Met spotters. |
| Pubs closed | |
| "If you are subject to a banning order and you attempt to get into the ground you will be arrested." | "If you are subject to a banning order and you attempt to get into the ground you will be arrested." |
| Each club has 25,000 supporters with match tickets, although an estimated 110,000 football fans will be travelling to London for the final. | |
| Pubs in the area will be closed an hour before kick-off and no alcohol is being permitted inside the stadium. | |
| Many fans are trying to acquire last minute tickets outside the stadium. | |
| Dave, a Manchester United supporter, said: "All the Spanish fans have been great and having a really great time - they are really friendly. | |
| "I would have travelled to the other side of the world just to savour the atmosphere." | |
| Barcelona supporter Mark said: "It is fantastic to be here. It is a great opportunity for all the people of Barcelona and Manchester. | |
| "I hope it will be a good match. | |
| "We have fantastic players but Manchester United are a very good team - it will be an equal match." | |
| Earlier in the day Barcelona fans congregated in London's Trafalgar Square where Nelson's Column was festooned with flags. | |
| A major policing operation is also taking place in Manchester. | |
| Extra patrols are being carried out in the city centre as supporters fill pubs and bars to watch the match. | |
| Supt Chris Sykes, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "Our main aim is to ensure the weekend and bank holiday is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. | |
| "There will be a lot of Manchester United fans, and football fans in general, hoping United will be able to overcome Barcelona. | "There will be a lot of Manchester United fans, and football fans in general, hoping United will be able to overcome Barcelona. |
| "Obviously emotions can run high, but what I'd say is make sure you take care of yourself when out and about." | "Obviously emotions can run high, but what I'd say is make sure you take care of yourself when out and about." |