Chelsea have expressed their sympathy with lovers after the membership’s supporters’ believe criticised the Blues over their handling of ticket arrangements for next week’s arguable Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku.
Fans of both golf equipment have already slammed Uefa over its preference of the final venue, but Blues supporters agree with Chelsea should have executed plenty more to help those wishing to attempt to tour to the Azerbaijani capital.
In a statement on Friday, the Chelsea Supporters Trust stated: “We are extremely dissatisfied that Chelsea FC had been unable or unwilling to help Chelsea supporters triumph over the journey, fee and logistics so as for them to help the team in a European very last.”
The accept as true with also criticised the membership for failing to provide a subsidy to supporters in mild of the “extortionate” fees involved, and for insisting on tickets being picked up at a particular place.
Chelsea released a statement on Friday afternoon expressing their sympathy with supporters suffering from the logistical problems, at the same time as caution fans that a new constitution flight organised by the Local Organising Committee may be hazardous and steeply-priced.
Chelsea additionally confirmed they’re no longer capable of beam live photos of the in shape again to Stamford Bridge due to some other occasion taking vicinity at the stadium on an equal day.
Chelsea announcement in full
“Everybody at Chelsea Football Club is calling forward to an intense and passionate match in opposition to Arsenal within the UEFA Europa League final in Baku on Wednesday 29 May.
“We sympathize with the issues our supporters face setting up journey to Azerbaijan for the sport, and would really like to reassure fans that alongside Arsenal and our journey companions at Thomas Cook Sport, we have checked out diverse alternatives to assist them get to Baku.
“Unfortunately, a number of of things outdoor the membership’s manage have made agency a complex and difficult system. This consists of the region of the final being 2,500 miles from London, a lack of available charter plane and shipping infrastructure which restrained the wide variety of flights capable of arrive in Baku across the very last.
“The Local Organising Committee (LOC) and local government in Baku have informed UEFA they have got organised an opportunity choice for supporters of each clubs to attain Baku, which would imply flying to Tbilisi (in neighbouring Georgia) after which the use of ground transportation from Tbilisi to Baku.
“We are thankful to the LOC for offering this selection, and even as we acknowledge it is able to prove to be less expensive than flying to Baku, it isn’t always a honest adventure and there will be no stewarding or the normal supporter protection measures on board teach tour from Tbilisi to Baku. It isn’t always an choice that the membership feels it may endorse as a fine alternative journey route for supporters nonetheless wishing to tour to Baku.
“There is also facts in circulate regarding a new charter flight provide from the LOC. We desire to make clear that there are many uncertainties around the viability of this counseled flight, which encompass no assure that a minimal wide variety might have to be met in order for the flight to function, supporters of the two golf equipment will now not be separated and the offer presently seems only slightly less expensive than the prevailing supporter charter flights with Thomas Cook Sport, so does now not represent a incredible saving.
“Supporters may be privy to reports of financial problems affecting Thomas Cook. We were assured that Thomas Cook is working business as standard and we see no hazard to our supporters’ flights to and from Azerbaijan next week, which are ATOL covered regardless.
“We will hold to work with all applicable enterprises to try and make sure excellent tour arrangements for the ones Chelsea supporters able to attend. Please do now not journey when you have no longer purchased a price ticket.
