Fan groups call out Real Madrid for failing to meet UCL rules over Liverpool tickets

January 23 – Real Madrid have been criticised by the UEFA-recognised group representing European fans for allocating Liverpool too few tickets for their upcoming round-of-16 clash.

Liverpool fans have been given a quota of 1,800 seats for the March 15 second-leg game in Madrid instead of at least 3,000 mandated by UEFA’s Champions League rules.

Real has cited long-running construction work at the Bernabéu Stadium.

“Liverpool FC should be provided with 3,500 tickets for this game and not the punitive total of 1,800,” said Football Supporters Europe.

The statement was co-signed by two Liverpool fan groups and the Spain-based Accionistas y Socios del Fútbol Español.

“It is entirely unacceptable for a club to openly disregard UEFA regulations as well as its responsibility to supporters in this manner,” the statement said. “Real Madrid has been allowed to operate with a reduced allocation for too long.”

The fan groups said Madrid had an obligation to follow Champions League rules regardless of “local police advice.”

Article 38 of Champions League regulations state: “Home clubs must make at least 5% of the total approved UEFA capacity of their stadium available exclusively to visiting supporters, in a segregated, safe area.”

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