Manchester City Fans Forced to “Walk Miles” to Champions League Final: Mayor’s Outrage
Manchester City fans were forced to “walk miles” to get to the Champions League final in Istanbul, prompting outrage from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. He accused organisers of “massively” letting down English football supporters and said “we’ve had enough of it”.
## Uefa Criticised for Poor Organisation
Uefa has been heavily criticised by the mayor for their poor organisation of the event. Reports suggest Man City and Inter Milan fans had to walk up to five miles to get to Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on Saturday due to heavy traffic on the roads around it.
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Burnham said it was “not acceptable” supporters were seen walking on the motorway to get to the stadium which is located outside the city centre. He said: “Uefa – what a disgrace, leaving Manchester City fans to walk miles to get to the ground. No transport, no nothing.”
The mayor also made reference to the chaotic scenes which broke out last year at the Stade de France before the 2022 final. He said: “We saw what they did last year in Paris and all the arrangements there that failed thousands and thousands of Liverpool supporters and Real Madrid supporters.”
## Uefa Called Out for Disregarding Travelling Supporters
Mr Burnham called out Uefa for disregarding travelling supporters, saying they “pick these grounds, I think, for these games on the basis of politics or who they please”. He added: “They give no regard for the arrangements of the travelling supporters. I saw pictures of Manchester City fans walking miles down roads to try and get there. It’s not acceptable. Uefa, you are a disgrace.”
The mayor also referred to a review into the treatment of Liverpool fans outside the stadium located on the outskirts of Paris which found faults by European football’s governing body and criticised French police for firing tear gas and pepper spray at supporters.
## Mayor Calls for Change from Uefa
Mr Burnham said what happened in France was “absolutely appalling” and claimed Uefa “just shrug their shoulders”. He said: “This is a bureaucracy that makes absolute millions out of English football supporters but is never held to account. We need to call them out.”
He concluded: “They let down Manchester City supporters massively last weekend. And thankfully, it didn’t ruin their weekend. But they do it year after year to English football supporters and we’ve had enough of it. We need change from Uefa and I think we really should join forces and send that message loud and clear to them.”