Arsenal have demanded answers from UEFA over the decision to host the Europa League final in Baku.
UEFA have given Arsenal and Chelsea fans have been given just 6,000 tickets apiece for the final on May 29, despite the Olympic Stadium boasting a capacity of 69,000.
UEFA stated Baku cannot cope with the influx of more supporters but getting to the Azerbaijan capital is proving an issue for fans who have qualified for a ticket.
And it has now emerged that season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship have been denied visas to travel.
Hostility remains between neighbouring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region.
(Image: REUTERS)
Gunners star Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s involvement in the final is in doubt because of the issue, although the club are working with UEFA to ensure safety measures can be put in place.
Several Arsenal season-ticket holders have not been granted entry into Azerbaijan, with Arsenal in talks with the Foreign Office to try and ease the situation.
A club statement read: “We are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations UEFA can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000. Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.
(Image: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
“We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to UEFA selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right. The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.
“We have received many complaints from our fans about this and we fully share their concerns.
“On behalf of our fans, we would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals, and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this.
“Moving forward we would urge UEFA to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable, and cannot be repeated. We would be happy to join any future discussions to avoid this situation happening again.”
