Ticketless fans warned to stay at home

Celtic fans who have not yet booked to travel to Seville should watch the Uefa Cup final at home, the Foreign Office said today.

Celtic fans who have not yet booked to travel to Seville should watch the Uefa Cup final at home, the UK Foreign Office said today.

It is estimated that more than 50,000 supporters will be making the journey to Spain for the Glasgow club’s first European final in 33 years.

But fewer than half that number will have tickets for Celtic’s clash against Portuguese champions Porto at the Olympic Stadium in Seville on Wednesday.

The Foreign Office also reassured supporters that the British Consular officials will be available 24 hours-a-day to assist them during their stay in Seville.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “The main piece of advice for fans is that all the tickets for the match have sold out and hotel accommodation in the city and surrounding districts is now almost impossible to obtain.

“Therefore if fans do not have a ticket to travel to Seville they should make arrangements to enjoy the match at home.”

Celtic supporters were also warned to behave.

“Those lucky enough to hold match tickets can be assured of a warm welcome in Seville where both the match itself and the visit of the Scottish supporters are keenly anticipated,” the spokeswoman said.

“But visitors should observe the rules, respect Spanish laws and customs and follow immediately any instructions from the authorities.”

Followers of the Parkhead club were advised to allow plenty of time to get to the 52,000-seater stadium.

On the night, 12 roving consular officials will be at the stadium to assist supporters.

The spokeswoman added: “Seville will be crowded on the night of the match and the Spanish authorities will be doing their best to ensure the fans have a trouble-free visit.

“But they will be moving around and processing a large number of people.

“Fans should allow plenty of time to get to the stadium and be prepared to queue for their tickets to be processed.”

The Foreign Office also warned the fans to be be wary of pickpockets.

And it stressed that fans who lose their passports on the night of the game may not be able to have emergency passports processed in time to catch their flights home.