UEFA lambasted as Wembley final ticket prices start at €178

UEFA has left itself open to accusations of hypocrisy after announcing eye-watering ticket prices for this year’s Champions League final, with the possibility of many families being priced out of the match at Wembley.

The match has been moved from midweek to a weekend slot after UEFA president Michel Platini said: “I hope that playing the Champions League final on a Saturday will give families, especially children, the chance to see the game.”

But when UEFA announced its ticket structure at London’s City Hall yesterday, it transpired the cheapest seats on offer to fans hoping to buy one of 11,000 general advance sale tickets is €178, plus a mind-boggling €30 administration fee.

Moreover, there are no half-price tickets for children, only 500 ‘special price’ tickets available in Category 2 priced at €400 for one adult and one child. It means that, including administration fees, it would cost a family of four as much as €865 to watch the final on May 28.

UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti struggled yesterday to defend the prices, claiming if they were any lower it would encourage the black market and explaining there will be some Category 4 tickets available at €95 for fans of the two clubs who reach the final. But when asked what his message was to families hoping to attend, he said: “What can I say? These are the prices. It’s a slight increase to last year. But it’s the Champions League final which is the most remarkable club football event in the year.

“Obviously we have to benchmark these prices against comparable events like the final of the Euros and the final of the World Cup. We don’t think the Champions League final is over-priced. Do you think we would have difficulties in filling Wembley even if the prices were higher? We try to strike a balance between supporters and the interest of the competition.”

Marchetti also backed the seemingly-extortionate administration fee by saying: “It’s for the handling of the mailing of two tickets. We justify it because there are costs related. We are not making a profit on it.”

nHow to buy a ticket now — log onto www.uefa.com between 11am on Thursday February 24 and 5pm on Friday March 18 and apply to enter the ballot.

Allocations will be decided by lottery, not on a first-come first-served basis. The draw is made on April 2.