Europa League final: UEFA respond to Arsenal’s letter criticising ticket allocation for clash with Chelsea in Azerbaijan

Europa League final: UEFA respond to Arsenal’s letter criticising ticket allocation for clash with Chelsea in Azerbaijan
UEFA have promised to work together with Arsenal to help fans get to the Europa League final against Chelsea, which will be held in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku later this month.The two Premier League rivals are set to meet at the city’s Olympic Stadium on May 29 – but the decision to host the fixture some 2,800 miles away from London has thrown up plenty of issues.Arsenal and Chelsea have already declared their disappointment at the ticket allocation for the final, with both clubs receiving in the region of 6,000 tickets each for a stadium which has a full capacity of 69,870.getty1

A tiny portion of Baku’s Olympic Stadium will be taken up by Arsenal and Chelsea fans for the final

On Thursday, UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti wrote a letter to Arsenal regarding the issues raised, in which he said: “I confirm our availability to work with you in order to find helpful solutions for your fans.”Travel to Baku is also proving an issue for those fans who have qualified for a match ticket, with fans heading out from London facing a round trip of some 2,500 miles to attend the game.Arsenal are also liaising with the Foreign Office after it emerged season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship have been denied visas to visit Baku because of tensions with neighbouring Azerbaijan.UEFA, though, defended the decision to award the showpiece final to Baku. Marchetti’s letter continued: “It goes without saying that an all-English final played by two London teams was not a very predictable event at the time of the appointment. There is little doubt that this has added significant difficulties to the event logistics.“We are really sorry for the problems that your (and Chelsea’s) fans are encountering trying to organise their journey to Baku.“Our experts are keenly working on this matter with a view to help find cheaper solutions for travelling fans. We would welcome a joint effort with your club in this respect.”

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Charlton vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday, 5pm) talkSPORT

Arsenal are facing further issues as there is still uncertainty over whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be able to travel to Baku for the fixture due to the aforementioned lack of relations between Azerbaijan and the midfielder’s native Armenia.UEFA’s response did not discuss Mkhitaryan’s chances of being awarded a visa for the match, though they have previously promised to work with Arsenal to sort one out.

---

'Take away points' - Paul Parker calls for strong action after racist abuse hurled at England players in Montenegro Paul Parker has urged UEFA to hit the Montenegro FA where it hurts after England players were subjected to racist abuse during their 5-1 victory in Podgorica on Monday night. The Three Lions wrapped up..
Paul Parker hopes better education can spark progress in

---

Vinnie Jones tells Paul Gascoigne he should have joined Manchester United and not Tottenham all those years ago With Sir Alex Ferguson running a tight ship at Old Trafford, Jones thinks Gazza

---

Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki has been named the Championship Player of the Season at the EFL awards in London. The 29-year-old is currently the league's top scorer with 26 goals, with his
Teemu Pukki named Championship player of the year as Norwich
hollywoodadviser.com/teemu-pukki-named-championship-player-of-the-year-as-norwich-team-mate-max-aarons-also-wins-at-efl-awards/
Pukki was also named in the Championship team of the season, alongside club-mates Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons, as well as the two players also shortlisted for the division's player of the year award - Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp and Birmingham forward Che Adams. Defender Aarons, 19, was named the young player of the season.
Teemu Pukki - Wikipedia

---

Maurizio Sarri has reached an agreement with Juventus to become the Serie A champions' next head coach and has requested Chelsea release him from his contract to join the Bianconeri, Goal understands.
Sarri to Juventus 'done' as manager reportedly reaches

---

Chelsea transfer news: Blues could follow Gonzalo Higuain deal by signing Mauro Icardi CHELSEA could follow up their signing of Gonzalo Higuain by targeting his compatriot Mauro Icardi, it has
Chelsea transfer news: Blues 'reach agreement with Juventus

---

Inter Milan strip Real Madrid transfer target Mauro Icardi of captaincy amid contract dispute. The forward has seen the armband given to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic
Mauro Icardi stripped of Inter Milan captaincy amid contract

---

Joe Gomez: England defender signs new long-term contract with

---

Premier League 2018/19: How the table would look based on every club's away form only Tuesday, 14 May 2019 The Premier League season is over and Manchester City are champions.
Premier League Clubs - Fixtures, Results, Stats & Profiles

---

A Chelsea fan pictured hurling insults at Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has apologised for his behaviour. Blues supporter Dean joined talkSPORT on Monday to have his say after it was confirmed police are investigating allegations of racist abuse against the England international during Saturday's 2-0 win over City.
TalkSport - Daily News
today-daily-news.com/talksport
'The racist agenda against Raheem Sterling is clear,' says talkSPORT host Adrian Durham. The Manchester City forward, who was the victim of alleged racial abuse at Stamford Bridge, accused the British press of 'fuelling racism' in English football
Tyrone Mings pulls out of TalkSport in protest of Raheem

---

Chelsea team news: CFCnet's predicted Chelsea line up vs Burnley in the Premier League. Eden Hazard a major doubt for Chelsea starting XI.
Brighton vs Chelsea: Blues team news and predicted line-up

---

Chelsea news: Fans stuck at Luton airport and face race against time to make Europa League final Chelsea fans have been left stranded at Luton airport after their flights were delayed as they tried to make their way to Baku on Wednesday morning. The Blues' talkSPORT 5 days ago Also reported by •Independent
Chelsea fans stranded at Luton Airport with lengthy flight
bigsportsnews.com/soccer/chelsea-fans-stranded-at-luton-airport-with-lengthy-flight-delays/
Furious Chelsea fans who paid the club £979 for FLIGHT ONLY to Europa League final are stranded at Luton Airport 'because there is no fuel' - and now face a race against time to make the game Thomas Cook Sport offered economy flights for the 2,468-mile trip to Baku They offered the tickets at a price of £979 this month […]
Chelsea fans stranded at Luton Airport with lengthy flight

---