UEFA has defended the allocation of tickets for the Europa League final in Baku, claiming it would not be responsible to issue Chelsea and Arsenal fans more than 6,000 each.
Arrangements for both the Europa League showpiece on May 29 and the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham have been heavily criticised.
Managers Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino have joined forces with supporters’ clubs to condemn profiteering and ticket issues ahead of their match in Madrid on June 1.
Fans are dismayed at only 16,613 tickets being allotted to each club, while the rocketing cost of attending the match on account of increased air fares and hotel rates has also provoked anger.
In a joint statement issued by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust and Spirit of Shankly, calls have been made for a cap on ticket pricing, transparency over allocation and consumer protection measures to be introduced to stop prices being forced up.
Klopp became the first manager to voice his concern by objecting to the opportunism of the travel industry, while rounding on UEFA for their selection of Baku as the host city for the Europa League final.
“These decisions, they must be much more sensible. It just looks irresponsible,” the Liverpool boss said.
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“A solution maybe, in the cities who get the final, maybe they have to make a price cut? I heard a room that is normally £100 is now £2,700? Just crazy!
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is critical of UEFA (Peter Byrne/PA)
“Madrid is unbelievably expensive but who decides Baku for a European final? Or Kiev? I don’t know what the people who decide these things have for breakfast.”
Baku’s Olympic Stadium has an official capacity of 64,000 and UEFA said in a statement: “Based on UEFA’s recent experience with UEFA Europa League finals and the UEFA Super Cup in comparable venues, the number of finalists’ supporters requesting tickets for a UEFA Europa League final can vary greatly from club to club.
“Of course, it is impossible to predict in advance which clubs will reach the final, while the venue has to be chosen around two years in advance.
“Taking into consideration the above and, most importantly, the geographical location and logistical capacity of airports in and around the host city, it was deemed that around 15,000 spectators would be able to travel from abroad.
“Offering more tickets to fans of the participating teams, without any guarantee that they would be able to arrange suitable travel to reach Baku, was therefore not a responsible option.
“Based on these circumstances, for this year’s UEFA Europa League final in Baku, 6,000 tickets have been made available to each of the finalists.
“UEFA remains in close contact with the finalists regarding the travel arrangements of their supporters and any other operational aspects with regards to the final.”
Pochettino experienced the rising prices first-hand when he attempted to book travel to Madrid in the hope that friends and family would be able to attend.
“We started to talk with the club today (Friday) to organise and see how it is going to work,” he said.
“Yesterday I was calling some hotels to try and book some rooms because I don’t know if my family and some people from Argentina are going to be there.
Mauricio Pochettino has first-hand experience of the rising cost of attending the final (Adam Davy/PA)
“I wanted to book and it was so difficult and the prices are so crazy. I am very surprised but it is normal that people take advantage of this type of opportunity to make benefit. It is going to be very, very difficult.”
The supporters’ clubs are dismayed by what they view as exploitation of fans’ determination to attend the Champions League showpiece.
“Our joy at reaching the final is tempered by the prices of travel, accommodation and tickets, and by the allocation of tickets,” their joint statement read.
“Prices of flights to Madrid and surrounding towns have rocketed by up to 840 per cent.
Champions League final 🇪🇸— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) May 9, 2019
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“Hotel rooms are over £1,000 a night and we are hearing stories of room bookings being cancelled and resold at vastly inflated rates.
“Ticket prices of in excess of £500 are also extortionate. And there needs to be transparency from UEFA and our clubs in how tickets are priced and allocated.
“For many fans, this final is not a one-off event. It is the culmination of a journey. It is time to stop cashing in on fan loyalty.”
Arsenal Supporters’ Trust backed this stance. The Gunners have already insisted they are working with UEFA to gain a larger percentage of seats to add to the “disappointing ticket allocation”.
“This is an excellent statement by Spirit of Shankly. AST backs every word,” the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust said.
“We are working with them and all supporters’ groups to fight the disgraceful way that UEFA treats supporters. Not just at finals but at every stage. The 6pm kick-off just another example.”
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