Arsenal: Europa League Baku statement on point

Arsenal have released a statement heavily criticising UEFA for hosting the Europa League final in Baku. The statement is absolutely on point and correctly addresses the major concerns with where the final is being hosted.

The Europa League final on May 29th might be the biggest game that Arsenal have played since their first FA Cup victory in Arsene Wenger’s latter run in the competition against Hull City in 2014.

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It is a European trophy, Champions League qualification can be secured by winning it, and it would represent a terrific start to Unai Emery’s tenure at the Emirates. As such, it would be nice if a few thousand fans and then some could head to Baku, Azerbaijan and enjoy what should be a monumental occasion.

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But then UEFA, as they seemingly always do, entered the fray. Just 6,000 tickets released to Arsenal and Chelsea, 10% of the Olympic Stadium’s 60,000 capacity to each of the competing teams, and placed in a city that is extremely difficult to get to and in a country that has a deplorable human rights record.

I actually looked at trying to go. But then I quickly surveyed the flights. The cheapest and most reasonable option I could find was the following: Manchester – Antalya – Baku with a stopover of 2h 20 mins. And the return? Three flights that take in Istanbul and Dusseldorf that would take over 14 hours of travelling, six-and-a-half of which would be spent in airports.  Oh, and it leaves at 07:45 on the morning after the match, which kicks off at midnight local time. And all this for a bargain £745. On top of this, you have food and drink costs, hotel costs, and all without the guarantee of getting a ticket.

You do not need me to tell you that this is a complete and utter farce.

Thankfully, Arsenal football agree, issuing a terrifically strong statement on Thursday morning, heavily criticising the UEFA decision to host the final in Baku. Here is a part of what they said:

"“However, we are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations Uefa can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000. Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are. We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to Uefa selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right. The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.”"

You can read the full statement here.

I must admit, it is nice to know that the club is right behind the fans complaining about this situation. Although there is little that they can do, it is comforting that the club is not forgetting about the normal, match-going fan, as many organisations in football seemingly are, UEFA chief among them.

Hosting the Europa League final in Baku is a contemptible decision. Then offering just 6,000 tickets rubs salt into the wounds. But Arsenal support their fans, and that, at the very least, is nice to know.