Europa League final: UEFA respond to Arsenal’s letter criticising ticket allocation for clash with Chelsea in Azerbaijan

Europa League final: UEFA respond to Arsenal’s letter criticising ticket allocation for clash with Chelsea in Azerbaijan
UEFA have promised to work together with Arsenal to help fans get to the Europa League final against Chelsea, which will be held in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku later this month.The two Premier League rivals are set to meet at the city’s Olympic Stadium on May 29 – but the decision to host the fixture some 2,800 miles away from London has thrown up plenty of issues.Arsenal and Chelsea have already declared their disappointment at the ticket allocation for the final, with both clubs receiving in the region of 6,000 tickets each for a stadium which has a full capacity of 69,870.getty1

A tiny portion of Baku’s Olympic Stadium will be taken up by Arsenal and Chelsea fans for the final

On Thursday, UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti wrote a letter to Arsenal regarding the issues raised, in which he said: “I confirm our availability to work with you in order to find helpful solutions for your fans.”Travel to Baku is also proving an issue for those fans who have qualified for a match ticket, with fans heading out from London facing a round trip of some 2,500 miles to attend the game.Arsenal are also liaising with the Foreign Office after it emerged season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship have been denied visas to visit Baku because of tensions with neighbouring Azerbaijan.UEFA, though, defended the decision to award the showpiece final to Baku. Marchetti’s letter continued: “It goes without saying that an all-English final played by two London teams was not a very predictable event at the time of the appointment. There is little doubt that this has added significant difficulties to the event logistics.“We are really sorry for the problems that your (and Chelsea’s) fans are encountering trying to organise their journey to Baku.“Our experts are keenly working on this matter with a view to help find cheaper solutions for travelling fans. We would welcome a joint effort with your club in this respect.”

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Charlton vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday, 5pm) talkSPORT

Arsenal are facing further issues as there is still uncertainty over whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be able to travel to Baku for the fixture due to the aforementioned lack of relations between Azerbaijan and the midfielder’s native Armenia.UEFA’s response did not discuss Mkhitaryan’s chances of being awarded a visa for the match, though they have previously promised to work with Arsenal to sort one out.

---

News and opinion from The Times & The Sunday Times Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces fresh accusations of environmental vandalism after being linked to almost a third of industrial air pollution in

---

Liverpool legend Terry McDermott will auction his three European Cup winners' medals on Tuesday. The sale - at Sotheby's in London - comes just four days before the Reds meet Real Madrid in the
Chelsea transfer news: Blues to 'bid £36million' for Mexico

---

Frank Lampard 'has lost the plot' with his condemnation of

---

Leeds United head down the M1 this weekend for what promises to be a rip-roaring Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United. Marcelo Bielsa's men head into the Bramall Lane clash second in the table following their back-to-back Elland Road wins over Bristol City and Reading.
Leeds vs Wigan live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free

---

David Beckham to be honoured with statue in Los Angeles. LA Galaxy football club set to unveil statue of former player outside their stadium next month.
David Beckham statue unveiled by LA Galaxy ahead of MLS

---

Real Madrid are ready to offer Manchester United three players as they bid to sign Paul Pogba (Picture: Getty)Real Madrid are ready to offer Manchester United three players as bait as they bid to sign Paul Pogba during the summer transfer window, according to reports.
Real Madrid offering three players for Paul Pogba including

---

Derby boss Frank Lampard has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for his behaviour following their 2-2 draw with Birmingham on Friday. The former Chelsea star confronted
Derby boss Frank Lampard hit with FA misconduct charge

---

Monaco players, including Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and

---

Michy Batshuayi: Chelsea forward will NOT return from

---

Watford vs Chelsea: Preview, team news, confirmed line-ups

---

Home Leagues Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece James at the Toulon Tournament Leagues Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece James at the Toulon Tournament
Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece

---

Championship 2019/2020: Bookmakers predict how next season's table will look June 5, 2019 / Another thrilling Championship season drew to a close last week, as Aston Villa bounced back from play-off final disappointment last season with victory over Derby at Wembley to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Premier League 2019/2020: Bookmakers predict how next season

---

Arsenal star Hector Bellerin calls on men to 'fight' against Alabama abortion ban. The Gunners right-back has urged football to take a stand, insisting the issue is not just for women.
Arsenal star Hector Bellerin urges men to 'fight' against

---

Alejandro Pozuelo Scores Panenka Penalty And Outrageous Chip On Toronto FC Debut That's one hell of a way to make a debut. Jay Chapman scored Toronto's fourth of the match to complete their 4
Former Swansea midfielder scores Panenka and - joe.co.uk

---