Champions League final stadium engulfed in black smoke as huge fire breaks out in Istanbul hours before kick off | The Sun

THE Champions League final was plunged into chaos hours before kick-off as black smoke engulfed Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium.

Premier League and FA Cup winners Manchester City will bid to complete a historic Treble in Turkey against and Italian giants Inter Milan.



But preparations for the biggest game in European football were rocked as dark fumes billowed from a nearby burning building.

Plumes of smoke soared over the stadium due and could be seen for miles around.

The smoke was so prominent that it was picked up in BT Sport's pre-match coverage behind host Jake Humphrey and pundits Rio Ferdinand, Mario Balotelli, Cesc Fabregas and Joleon Lescott.

Footage of the fire started doing the rounds on social media.

Clips showed a six-story building engulfed by black smoke as Turkish firefighters desperately tried to quell the raging flames.

Footy fans were quick to comment after clips and images of the smoke went viral.

One tweeted: "What on Earth?"

Another said: "I hope everything is ok…"

Most read in Football

GAME ON?

I'll let Mason Greenwood return to Man Utd squad, says Ten Hag as probe set to end

TALE OF 2 CITIES

City on brink of historic Treble – here's why achievement will be tainted

CHERRIES PICKED

Bournemouth release 11 players including club legend and Palace bound star

ITALIAN JOB

Liverpool & Newcastle ‘lead race for £30m Juve' star two years after £100m bid

4
The plumes of smoke were visible during BT Sport's pre-match broadcastCredit: BT SPORT

And another said: "What is this black magic?"

One remarked: "What’s going on here??"

Another added: "Is it some kind of sign that we're going to see an unusual game today?"

One said: "That’s a serious fire hope there are no casualties."

The burning building – an industrial factory – is located just TWO MILES away from the Ataturk Stadium.

Firefighters are said to have been on the scene for the last "two hours" trying to quell the flames.

City boss Pep Guardiola will be hoping the black smoke won't be a bad omen for his troops.

The Prem champions will bid to secure a historic Treble against Simone Inzaghi's Inter.

But the Italians will hope to channel the spirit of their 2010 tournament-winning side – who stopped Bayern Munich from winning a Treble 13 years ago.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL – MAN CITY VS INTER MILAN LIVE: Keep up to date with all the action from Istanbul – TV and streaming info

Source: Read Full Article