Exclusive: PGMOL insider tells Arsenal to complain as UEFA row escalates vs PSG
Keith Hackett has urged Arsenal to complain to UEFA ahead if they are unhappy with a growing dispute of the Champions League clash with PSG.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Gunners should register a “formal protest” if they aren’t satisfied after being given fewer tickets than they are entitled to for their trip to Paris.
This is not the first instalment of the ticketing row between both clubs, with French fans left frustrated after struggling to get their hands on tickets for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
UEFA regulations stipulate clubs should allocate five percent of their stadium’s capacity to travelling supporters, but Arsenal wanted to reduce that to four percent.
As a consequence, Arsenal could face a punishment from UEFA, but the drama is far from over, as PSG are now attempting to do something similar.
Arsenal allocated 2,000 tickets for PSG clash
Arsenal have been urged by their supporters’ trust to make an official complaint to UEFA due to the reduced ticket allocation, according to The Guardian.
This move has been backed by Liverpool‘s fan group Spirit of Shankly and supporter groups from Aston Villa, whose clubs received similar reduced allocations when they faced PSG earlier in the season.
The 2,000 tickets given to Arsenal are 500 below the five percent away teams are entitled to by UEFA, although the Parisian club were given special dispensation to reduce that to 4.1% before the start of the season following a request from local police.
The Gunners’ decision to reduce the French champions’ limit on tickets is believed to have partially stemmed from several seats that were broken on their previous visit, but PSG officials reportedly argued they were repaired at the club’s expense, and the decision undermines the spirit of the game.
The Arsenal reduction is also “understood” to have been “guided” by the Metropolitan police, as well as safety advisory groups.
Keith Hackett gives verdict on Arsenal ticketing dispute
Following the news of the latest update in the ticketing row with PSG, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett weighed in on the dispute, telling Football Insider exclusively: “The percentage allocation of tickets for away supporters in UEFA games is part of the regulations that are updated on an annual basis.
“UEFA appoint an independent stadium manager to their games. This person is from another country and usually one with first-class experience of managing big games.
“A number of former English Premier League club secretaries are appointed and usually allocated to a certain stadium, whilst that club retains its position in the competition.
“I know that the former Sunderland secretary operates in this capacity.
“Ticket allocation is linked to security advice, and this determines any special arrangements. If Arsenal are unhappy with the allocation they should register a formal protest”