UEFA accused of exploiting fans

Fans’ leaders have condemned UEFA’s ticket prices for the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on May 28 as “outrageous”.

UEFA have admitted the ticket prices will be the most expensive ever for a Champions League final – the cheapest tickets on general sale will come to £150 plus a £26 administration fee, while the cheapest category four tickets available through the clubs will be £80.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “These prices are absolutely outrageous and take ticket pricing to an absurdly stratospheric new level.

“In a difficult economic climate, not only in this country but across Europe where supporters may be coming from, this represents disgraceful exploitation of fans.”

UEFA’s director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti insisted the prices were in line with comparable events such as the World Cup final or Euro Championship final.

Marchetti said at the ticket launch at London’s City Hall: “The prices are based on the type of event and when you compare it to other events we don’t think that the Champions League final is overpriced.

“We do not want to squeeze every single penny out of the market. We have to benchmark this event against other comparable events like for example the final of the Euros and the World Cup.”

UEFA announced that 11,000 tickets will be available on general sale at £300, £225 and £150 with wheelchair entry costing £80. A certain number of £80 tickets will be available among the 25,000 allocated to each club in the final.

The cost of Champions League final tickets has rocketed since Rome 2009 – the category three tickets have almost doubled since then when they cost £80.

Marchetti faced hostile questioning about the administration fee and the cost of ‘youth packages’ – especially with UEFA president Michel Platini moving the final to a Saturday because he wanted to encourage more children to attend.

“That’s also why we put some tickets from children at a discounted price,” said Marchetti, though the cost of a package for one adult and one child is only available in category two and will cost £338.

“That’s a 50% discount for the child,” said Marchetti.

UEFA, meanwhile, expect income from Champions League final to top £14m, £3m more than last year’s final in Madrid.