Liverpool supporters have called on Uefa to act over Russia's insistence that fans of teams who reach the Champions League final in Moscow must have expensive visas which can take weeks to process. With either Liverpool or Chelsea in the final, along with Manchester United if they elude Barcelona, 50,000 English supporters are expected to travel.
After the conclusion of the semi-final on 29-30 April, there will be a mad rush to sort out visas for the May 21 final (although the more confident have already started). Such was the visa chaos before England's game with Russia that some fans even missed kick-off at the Luzhniki because of delays in collecting visas at the British Embassy in Moscow. Fans are also upset about the cost - up to £95.
"It is ridiculous that Uefa can allow Russia to charge for visas, to attend a final they should be privileged to host, especially considering the huge distances the supporters of any likely finalists would have to travel, and the high cost of doing so," said James McKenna, spokesperson for the Liverpool fans' pressure group, Spirit Of Shankly.
"Why can't Uefa look at the logistics of a final beforehand, for the fans that will be travelling across the continent to see their team in the most prestigious club football final there is?"
Neil Atkinson, chair of Spirit of Shankly, added: "We're hoping the three remaining English clubs, the FA, Uefa and perhaps even the Government will have dialogue with supporters of all three clubs to try to resolve these issues not just for the forthcoming final – where the clock is ticking fast - but for years to come. It's about time supporters were shown due consideration."
After the conclusion of the semi-final on 29-30 April, there will be a mad rush to sort out visas for the May 21 final (although the more confident have already started). Such was the visa chaos before England's game with Russia that some fans even missed kick-off at the Luzhniki because of delays in collecting visas at the British Embassy in Moscow. Fans are also upset about the cost - up to £95.
"It is ridiculous that Uefa can allow Russia to charge for visas, to attend a final they should be privileged to host, especially considering the huge distances the supporters of any likely finalists would have to travel, and the high cost of doing so," said James McKenna, spokesperson for the Liverpool fans' pressure group, Spirit Of Shankly.
"Why can't Uefa look at the logistics of a final beforehand, for the fans that will be travelling across the continent to see their team in the most prestigious club football final there is?"
Neil Atkinson, chair of Spirit of Shankly, added: "We're hoping the three remaining English clubs, the FA, Uefa and perhaps even the Government will have dialogue with supporters of all three clubs to try to resolve these issues not just for the forthcoming final – where the clock is ticking fast - but for years to come. It's about time supporters were shown due consideration."
No comments:
Post a Comment