May 20 – Disabled supporters of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have expressed outrage at UEFA’s “woefully inadequate” allocation of just 52 accessible tickets for the Europa League Final in Bilbao, Spain. The San Mames stadium has a capacity of nearly 50,000.
UEFA says it has provided 75 wheelchair positions – including neutral spaces – at the stadium, with free companion seats and guaranteed sightlines. The governing body also insists that 15% of these tickets remain unsold and available for purchase, a claim vehemently disputed by both clubs’ fan groups.
The stadium typically accommodates 208 wheelchair and 102 easy access seats during regular matches.
Spurs Ability member Mark Spencer, who has spinal injuries but doesn’t use a wheelchair, has traveled to Bilbao by car without a ticket and will be forced to watch the match in a fan park.
“To say I’m gutted is an understatement,” Spencer told BBC Sport. “I wasn’t able to go to Madrid for the Champions League final in 2019 and I thought this might be my chance – but UEFA have just not given us the percentage of seating that they should be giving us under their own rules and regulations. You feel that you’re being prevented from watching football and supporting your team because of a disability, so it’s quite insulting and very disappointing.”
Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association secretary Rick Clement echoed these sentiments: “UEFA, ultimately, have a responsibility to football fans to support your team. That should include people with disabilities.”
UEFA said it was “working hard to improve both standards and experiences” for disabled fans and that it took into account “the quality of sightlines,” “historical demand,” and the ratio between capacity and accessible seating.
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