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Champions League final: Thousands fill Wembley Stadium | Champions League final: Thousands fill Wembley Stadium |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of football fans are watching a dramatic Champions' League final at Wembley stadium. | |
Barcelona are currently leading Manchester United 2-1. | |
Earlier, supporters of both teams congregated outside the ground, where a huge police operation was under way to ensure the match passed peacefully. | Earlier, supporters of both teams congregated outside the ground, where a huge police operation was under way to ensure the match passed peacefully. |
The game is set to be the most-watched fixture between two club sides ever, with up to 300 million people expected to watch it worldwide. | The game is set to be the most-watched fixture between two club sides ever, with up to 300 million people expected to watch it worldwide. |
The bumper viewer figures are expected partly because the final is being held on a Saturday for only the second time, and also because both clubs have such a huge global following. | |
It is being billed as the biggest sporting event in the UK until the London 2012 Olympics. | It is being billed as the biggest sporting event in the UK until the London 2012 Olympics. |
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is not attending the game because he is preparing for an ethics committee hearing following bribery allegations. | Fifa president Sepp Blatter is not attending 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." | Blatter has not commented on the proceedings but said: "The facts will speak for themselves." |
Sir Alex Ferguson decided to start with Javier Hernandez up front, alongside Wayne Rooney. | |
But surprisingly there was no place, even on the substitutes' bench, for striker Dimitar Berbatov. | |
Barcelona took the lead on 27 minutes with a goal by Pedro Rodriguez but United equalised soon afterwards through Rooney. | |
It was level at half time but Lionel Messi put the Catalan side ahead early in the second half. | |
Some 1,000 police officers were involved in the operation across London. There was no trouble before kick-off, according to a Metropolitan Police spokesman. | Some 1,000 police officers were involved in the operation across London. There was no trouble before kick-off, according to a Metropolitan Police spokesman. |
Officers from the Spanish force are on duty in London during the game. | Officers from the Spanish force are 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 | 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 had 25,000 supporters with match tickets, although an estimated 110,000 fans are thought to have travelled to London for the final. | Each club had 25,000 supporters with match tickets, although an estimated 110,000 fans are thought to have travelled to London for the final. |
Pubs in the area closed an hour before kick-off and no alcohol is being permitted inside the stadium. | Pubs in the area closed an hour before kick-off and no alcohol is being permitted inside the stadium. |
Before the match began, many fans tried to acquire last minute tickets outside the stadium. | Before the match began, many fans tried 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | "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." | "We have fantastic players but Manchester United are a very good team - it will be an equal match." |
Earlier in the day Barcelona fans gathered in London's Trafalgar Square where Nelson's Column was festooned with flags. | Earlier in the day Barcelona fans gathered in London's Trafalgar Square where Nelson's Column was festooned with flags. |
'Take care' | 'Take care' |
A major policing operation is also taking place in Manchester. | A major policing operation is also taking place in Manchester. |
Extra patrols were carried out in the city centre as supporters filled pubs and bars to watch the match. | Extra patrols were carried out in the city centre as supporters filled 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. | 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." |