Europa League final: Arsenal ‘bitterly disappointed’ at UEFA’s ticket allocation as club work with Foreign Office after fans are denied visas

Arsenal are working with the Foreign Office after season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship were denied visas to travel to Baku for the Europa League final.

The Gunners face Premier League rivals Chelsea in the Azerbaijani capital on May 29 – but the decision to host the fixture in Baku’s Olympic Stadium has thrown up plenty of issues since the two London clubs qualified last week.

UEFA have been criticised over their decision to choose Baku’s Olympic Stadium as the final venue

Hostility remains between neighbouring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region, where a ceasefire was declared in 1994 after fighting erupted several years earlier.

Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan, captain of the Armenia national team, missed the Europa League group game against Qarabag in Baku earlier this season because of the issue.

The club are now liaising with UEFA in the hope safety measures can be put in place to allow the 30-year-old to travel for the final as part of Unai Emery’s squad.

Now some supporters face the same issue, with several British-Armenian season-ticket holders not being granted entry into Azerbaijan.

It is understood Arsenal are now in talks with the Foreign Office in an attempt to ease the situation.

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.

Travel to Baku, which lies further east than Baghdad and Riyadh, is also proving an issue for those fans who have qualified for a match ticket.

Only seven miles separates the London teams’ stadiums, but their fans must embark on a 2,500-mile trip to attend the game.

An Arsenal statement on that issue read: “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.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

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

Portsmouth vs Sunderland (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2

Charlton vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2

Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday, 5pm) – talkSPORT

“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.

“We would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals, and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this. Moving forward we would urge UEFA to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable and cannot be repeated.”

There are only three scheduled flights per week between London and Baku, but all seats are sold out in the days before and after the match – other non-direct flights can take over 10 hours.

Driving the distance would take upwards of 50 hours behind the wheel, while a train journey could last as long as four days.

Chelsea news: Gary Cahill reveals fondest Blues memory after Stamford Bridge farewell The 33-year-old won every trophy possible during seven glorious years at the club - but one stands out above
Gary Cahill Lambasts Maurizio Sarri Over Defender's Treatment

Frank Lampard has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) after Derby County's Championship game against Birmingham City. Lampard confronted referee Simon Hooper after a 2
Frank Lampard charged with misconduct by the FA | Daily Mail

Women's World Cup Schedule, France vs South Korea Live Stream, How to Watch World Cup Online, TV Channels, Start Time 3 hours ago The Women's World Cup gets underway on Friday with the hosts and favorites hoping to start their adventure with a strong performance in front in their home crowd, while the underdogs look for revenge and a pleasant
Women's World Cup commentators for Group Stage (FOX Sports
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/04/womens-world-cup-commentators-group-stage-fox-sports/
FOX Sports have announced their schedule of commentators for the Group Stage of the 2019 Women's World Cup. But the more things change in this world, the more they stay the same at FOX Sports when it comes to soccer coverage.
Russia 2018 World Cup schedule, bracket, scores: Dates, start

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea on a five-year contract, the La Liga club said in a statement on Friday. Real did not reveal the fee but Spanish media reports said
Chelsea news: Eden Hazard deal agreed - football.london

12 players most likely to leave Spurs in summer overhaul, including Eriksen, Tripper and Alderweireld World Football June 3, 2019 Mesut Ozil allegedly told Arsenal manager Unai Emery 'you are not a coach' in 4-1 mauling by Chelsea in Europa League final
12 players most likely to leave Spurs in summer overhaul

4 Aug 2015, Sports News covering Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Rugby, Boxing and Motorsports from around the world brought to you by 15 Minute News
Longer lasting & Silkier Curl Tricks - Maskcara

Battle to 'avoid' Champions League heats up, Cardiff City on the brink - What we learnt from this weekend's Premier League action by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 28 Apr It's crunch time in the Premier League as a thrilling season enters its final weeks. This weekend raised a number of talking points.
Battle to 'avoid' Champions League heats up, Cardiff City on

Se när jag spelar Internet! This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.
Chelsea vs. Eintracht Frankfurt Live Stream, TV Channel: How

Maurizio Sarri: Damning chants aimed at Chelsea boss by fans in win over Cardiff. Chelsea fans have made it clear what they think of Maurizio Sarri despite scraping a 2-1 win at Cardiff
Azpilicueta sends message to Chelsea fans who chanted 'we

After failing to beat Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League Final, Arsenal have never reached a European final. In 2009 they were knocked out of the same competition at the semi-final stage, while last season saw them also fall at the final four of the Europa League - with eventual winners Atletico Madrid securing victory.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: 2019 Europa League Final Odds and

FA Cup final referee: These fans are unsure about seeing Kevin Friend officiate Manchester City vs Watford clash - 'Cup final will be a bloodbath' by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 29 Apr Kevin Friend was announced as the referee for this year's FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Watford on May 18.
Kourtney Kardashian REVEALS If Khloe & Tristan Will Get Back
hollywoodadviser.com/kourtney-kardashian-reveals-if-khloe-tristan-will-get-back-together/
FA Cup final referee: These fans are unsure about seeing Kevin Friend officiate Manchester City vs Watford clash - 'Cup final will be a bloodbath' Every Premier League club's run-in ranked - from hardest to easiest with two to go
Chris Wilder reveals the secret behind Sheffield United's

Pages

FIFA Premium Football Live

Labels