Having exhausted virtually every possible avenue, I’ve become resigned to the fact that I won’t be attending this season’s Champions League final in Kiev.
May 22, 2018 09:25I entered various ballots and was hopeful of success having met the qualifying criteria, but it’s clear loyalty and commitment, in terms of matches attended, counts for nothing. Now time is running out.
For me, Uefa have made a real mess of what is the number one club competition. They have made a mockery of the showpiece event, giving supporters from both Liverpool and Real Madrid a paltry 16,000 tickets. No doubt both clubs could fill the Olimpiysky National Sports Complex several times over.
The latest online prices see a category-three ticket changing hands for an eye-watering £22,000. It’s bonkers. And that’s excluding flights and accommodation. No thanks.
With flight prices increasing by the day, I’ve heard of fans desperately trying to piece their journey together like a jigsaw puzzle, with some supporters flying from England to Israel before catching a much more reasonably priced flight into Kiev. And don’t be surprised if our friends at Chabad in Kiev come to the rescue of those looking for cheap accommodation.
I have fond memories of Liverpool’s last Champions League success, as my son was born the same year Steven Gerrard triumphantly lifted the trophy after a thrilling comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul. I didn’t attend that one either, so hopefully he’ll enjoy the gift no money can buy to coincide with his barmitzvah year. A sixth Champions League trophy would be a wonderful achievement, regardless.
Over the years, I’ve copped lots of flak for being a Liverpool supporter living in London. I’m not the only one. Several friends have received criticism on social media when applauding the footballing genius of Mohammed Salah, an Egyptian Muslim. People are quick to remind us that Salah refused to shake hands with members of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team before both legs of their Champions League qualifier while playing for Basel in 2013.
Five years on, I’m pleased to report the newly crowned Player of the Year exchanged a high-five with Brighton’s Israeli international Beram Kayal before a thrilling Premier League finale.
Now, where did I put that business card for the chairman of Maccabi Ukraine?
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