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Liverpool Football Club supporters\u2019 union Spirit of Shankly (SOS) has called out European football governing body UEFA over the ticketing allocation for the upcoming Champions League final between Liverpool and Spanish club Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
The Premier League club and opponents Real Madrid have each been allocated 19,618 tickets for the final at Stade de France in Paris. The stadium will have a capacity of 75,000 for the final, though it can hold up to just over 80,000 spectators.<\/p>\n
There are four ticketing categories with tickets costing \u00a350.32 (\u20ac58\/$62), \u00a3125.79, \u00a3410.91 and \u00a3578.63. The two cheapest category tickets have been discounted at the request of the semi-finalists after UEFA proposed 5,000 free tickets to each finalist. These tickets amount to roughly 15,500 seats per club.<\/p>\n
Over 65s, young adults (aged 17-21) or juniors will also receive no reduction in price.<\/p>\n
The ticket allocation for Liverpool and Real Madrid amounts to just 52.3% of the final\u2019s capacity, with a further 12,000 tickets to be allocated via a public ballot. The remaining 23,764 tickets will be given to the UEFA \u201cfamily\u201d as SOS states and corporate sponsors.<\/p>\n
In an open letter to UEFA, SOS said: \u201cUnfortunately, for some of those lucky enough to get a ticket, the cost will be prohibitive. There are four price categories, ranging from \u20ac70 to \u20ac690. The majority of tickets are in category three and cost \u20ac180 each. There are no concessions for over-65s or under-16s. Previously child-adult packages have been available, but no more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The supporters\u2019 union also accused UEFA of wanting \u201cmore\u201d and said: \u201cSince 2018, when LFC last played Real Madrid in the final, UEFA\u2019s ticket revenue \u2013 based on our allocation \u2013 has gone from \u20ac3.06m to \u20ac4.22m, which equates to a 38% increase in four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The letter also said that for those lucky enough to purchase a ticket, \u201cthe cost will be prohibitive\u201d.<\/p>\n
Spirit of Shankly\u2019s letter concluded: \u201cFootball supporters are tired of being ripped off. Tired of watching their team reach a final, but unable to find a ticket to attend. And tired of exorbitant prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time UEFA recognised the power of fans and the importance of fans above sponsorships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liverpool manager J\u00fcrgen Klopp told the Guardian<\/a> newspaper: \u201cI understand 100,000% where Spirit of Shankly is coming from. It is absolutely not right but it happens everywhere. It doesn\u2019t make it better, just in this specific case you are not only paying more than last time for a ticket but you only get 50% of the tickets and the rest goes to people who pay thousands and thousands for the tickets.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how all the money is made. The atmosphere, 20,000 Reds are responsible for that. Do I like it? No. Will I change it? To talk about it is right but you have to write about it too because most of us think the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Image: Zakarie Faibis<\/a>\/CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>\/Edited for size<\/p>\n<\/div>\n