LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 8, 2022: Liverpool supporters on the Spion Kop sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg game between Liverpool FC and FC Internazionale Milano at Anfield. Liverpool won the tie 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 defeat. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool fans criticise “piss-take” ticket process for Real Madrid decider

Liverpool supporters’ union Spirit of Shankly have again come out and opposed ticket collections before European away fixtures.

The club announced this week that supporters would have to pick up their tickets on the day of the Real Madrid match, or the evening before, from a collection point that’s near the Bernabeu and not particularly central.

Liverpool supporters are used to this ritual as the club have been operating this procedure for European aways for a while – however, it’s been opposed by supporters and SOS.

In a statement the union said:

“For those travelling fans it should, as always when following the Reds in Europe, be a trip to look forward to. A mini holiday or day trip that, no matter the result, is fun, a laugh, an experience.

“This upcoming trip? Not so carefree.

“Alongside the dismal, reduced allocation and derisory number of disabled bays that prevents hundreds, who should have qualified under UEFA rules, from travelling, Real Madrid have charged the maximum ticket price they can.

“There are to be 100 percent ticket collections. This time the collection point is approximately 20-minutes walk from the Bernabeu – a residential area where few visitors will stay or meet, away from the city’s regular tourist spots.

“It means a journey the day before the match, as advised by LFC, or the risk of being caught in queues on the day of the game and worries about getting in.

“To add to the inconvenience, fans will have to endure ID checks on entering the stadium – we live in hope they are not subject to heavy-handed policing as they were last time in Madrid – and due to ongoing works, there are minimal facilities, with no concessions or kiosks open.”

SOS added the strongly worded message: “Spirit of Shankly remain completely opposed to ticket collections for Champions League games and have lobbied the club to rethink, they won’t.

“It’s a supporter’s choice to go to a football match. It doesn’t mean they should be treated with contempt, unfortunately it’s the same old story.”

The ticket collection process is a frustrating one for supporters and compounds the news that Liverpool have received a reduced allocation of 1,800 – due to ongoing construction work, claim Real Madrid.

As well as this, tickets cost over £62 and Liverpool fans are expected to have to undergo more security checks than usual.

After events in Paris last May, it’s easy to see why people are being put off European away trips at the moment, and Liverpool Football Club shouldn’t be adding to the stress involved.