by 112-1077774096 » Wed May 09, 2007 3:22 pm
liverpool echo
UEFA today said Liverpool had “done well” to get 17,000 European Cup final tickets as touts fleeced fans for £1,000 each.
Ticket prices on internet sites including eBay reached £1,020 today.
But Uefa communications chief William Gaillard said the Reds, who were backed by up to 40,000 fans to Istanbul two years ago, had received a good allocation.
“In the World Cup final last year, French and Italian fans were only given 4,000 each. So Liverpool fans have done well.
UEFA today said Liverpool had “done well” to get 17,000 European Cup final tickets as touts fleeced fans for £1,000 each.
Ticket prices on internet sites including eBay reached £1,020 today.
But Uefa communications chief William Gaillard said the Reds, who were backed by up to 40,000 fans to Istanbul two years ago, had received a good allocation.
“In the World Cup final last year, French and Italian fans were only given 4,000 each. So Liverpool fans have done well.
“If we built a stadium with a million seats, the match would still sell out and supporters would not be able to see the pitch.
“It’s impossible more will be released in the coming weeks – 17,000 is the final figure.”
Mr Gaillard also warned Liverpool fans paying huge amounts for black market tickets they could be turned away at the turnstiles.
All third party selling of football tickets is illegal in Britain under a new law passed last year.
Uefa warned supporters that internet tickets had been “cancelled” yesterday. And the communications chief said the measure could be enforced.
He said: “All tickets have been registered, meaning they have a number on and a watermark.
“We know exactly which company has bought each series of tickets. Spot checks will be carried out to check the barcodes.”
But despite Uefa’s tough stance, anger was growing today at the way the small ticket allocations for Liverpool and AC Milan had created the tout market.
About 20,000 places at the stadium have been given to the “Uefa family” of officials and corporate guests, while a further 9,000 were sold to all-comers through an open ballot in February.
Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle has written to sports minister Richard Caborn demanding action.
He said: “The demand amongst genuine Liverpool fans is there, and Uefa should increase the supply.”
Mr Caborn was “well aware” of the problem.
Fans have reacted with fury to UEFA’s decision.
Les Lawson from the Liverpool Official Supporters Club said: “17,000 tickets is a joke. I’m waiting for the result of the ballot, but if I don’t get tickets me and my 14-year-old lad won’t be going.”
Last edited by 112-1077774096 on Wed May 09, 2007 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.