Platini apologies for Champions League ticket prices
Reuters - Wednesday 20 April 2011, 15:32
LONDON - UEFA president
Michel Platini
has apologised for the high cost of Champions League tickets for next month's final at Wembley and said UEFA would now consider
introducing a cheaper category for families for future finals.
There was widespread condemnation when the prices were
announced with the cheapest tickets on general sale for the May
28 final costing 150 pounds plus a 26 pounds booking fee.
Platini, who was in London for the handover of the Champions
League trophy to Mayor Boris Johnson, told reporters. "It was a
mistake, it was not good. But it is not easy to decide the price
of the tickets in the Champions League final.
"We have received 200,000 requests for 10,000 tickets and
now if you want to buy the tickets on the black market these
tickets are 10 times the price that we decided.
"Perhaps in the future we have to have a new category for
families that is less expensive. But if you put those on the
black market how much will they cost?
"It was not a good communication and I apologise about
that."
The final, returning to London for the sixth time and the
first since Wembley was rebuilt, will see either Manchester
United or Schalke 04 play Barcelona or Real Madrid.
United won the first of their three finals in 1968 at
Wembley, while Barcelona also won their first final at the venue
when they beat Sampdoria in 1992.
Platini said: "I'm sure the final will bring emotions in a
true football city and a true stadium of football - Wembley."
The trophy handover ceremony, at London's Guildhall,
attracted many leading figures in English football including FA
chairman David Bernstein, a Manchester City fan and former
director of the club.
However, Bernstein said, it would be "very special" for
United to make it to the final.
He said: "We are very hopeful that Manchester United
continue to progress and represent England.
"Club football in this country continues to be as strong as
ever and five of the last six finals have involved an English
side.
"There's no denying that Sir Alex Ferguson's side face a
tough task against Schalke but to have an English team in the
final at Wembley would be something special.