Why more than 2,000 Real Madrid fans have returned tickets for Champions League final against Liverpool
Gossip & Rumours
By
Mirror
| May 20, 2018
More than 2,000 Real Madrid fans have returned their tickets for the Champions League final against Liverpool - and more could follow suit.
Logistical difficulties and the cost of travelling to Kiev, as well as the inflated price of accommodation in the Ukrainian capital, is the reason for so many fans backing out.
More than 24,000 Real Madrid season ticket holders entered the ballot for tickets for the final, after Los Blancos beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-final.
The fans were applying for one of the 12,802 tickets made available to the club, who are hoping to win a record 13th Champions League trophy later this month.
However, around 2,200 supporters have now handed back their tickets due to the difficulty in getting to Kiev in such short notice and the costs involved.
To start with, Madrid fans have to travel 1,783 miles to get to Ukraine if they can get their hands on a plane ticket, with some costing in excess of £1,000.
While supporters looking to drive from Spain can expect a 34-hour journey through France, Germany, and Poland to reach Ukraine.
Hotel prices in the area have also skyrocketed due to demand for accommodation close to the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex.
As things stand it is feasible that Real Madrid will not utilize their UEFA allocated match ticket quota.
Liverpool fans have also been experiencing similar problems.
A Thomas Cook Sport statement read: "At the request of Liverpool Football Club, Thomas Cook Sport worked to secure additional aircraft for the Champions League Final in Kiev.
"Despite the significant challenges involved as a result of the limited availability of aircraft at this time, and the increasingly urgent need for a solution, this objective was met.
"Unfortunately, but also unavoidably, the aircraft was secured at a higher cost, which is reflected in the higher price for supporters."