Manchester United played the first leg of their semi-final in the San Mames earlier this month Disabled fans of Manchester United and Tottenham have criticised the number of wheelchair tickets available for the Europa League final as "insulting" - with both clubs given 26 tickets each in a near 50,000-capacity Bilbao stadium. Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association and Spurs Ability, the fan groups representing disabled supporters, have expressed anger at the size of the allocation, which includes an additional 15 'easy access' seats, from an allocation of 15,000 tickets per club. In response, competition organiser Uefa said it had provided 75 wheelchair positions - including neutral spaces - at the San Mames stadium, with free companion seat and guaranteed sightlines. Uefa said 15% of those tickets remained unsold and available for purchase as of Tuesday morning. Both fan groups disputed this claim to BBC Sport. The stadium, home to Spanish top-flight side Athletic Bilbao, has a capacity of more than 53,000 but this has been reduced to 49,600 for the final on Wednesday. The stadium is usually capable of hosting 208 wheelchair and 102 easy access seats. That falls slightly short of the recommended provision in Uefa's own guidelines for stadiums of its size. But the two supporters' groups and the disabled sports charity Level Playing Field have calculated that even within the San Mames' limitations, both clubs should still have 58 wheelchair spaces and a further 28 easy access tickets. Spurs Ability member Mark Spencer has spinal injuries but is not in a wheelchair. He has travelled to Bilbao by car without a ticket to watch the match in a fan park. He told BBC Sport: "To say I'm gutted is an understatement. I wasn't able to go to Madrid for the Champions League [final] in 2019 and I thought this might be my chance - but Uefa have just not given us the percentage of seating that they should be giving us under their own rules and regulations. "You feel that you're being prevented from watching football and supporting your team because of a disability so it's quite insulting and very disappointing." Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association secretary Rick Clement said: "Uefa, ultimately, have a responsibility to football fans to support your team. That should include people with disabilities." Dr Rita Egan, another member of Spurs Ability, said the group has been "dismayed" by the allocation and accused Uefa of having "ignored" complaints by not replying to correspondence. Level Playing Field chair Tony Taylor said: "We have seen another failure from Uefa at a showpiece event. "Accountability has been lacking before and now we can see more disregard for disabled fans, which ignores the governing body's own guidance and under-utilises the facilities available, without adequate justification." In response, Uefa said it was "working hard to improve both standards and experiences" for disabled fans and that it took into account "the quality of sightlines", "historical demand" and the ratio between capacity and accessible seating. It stated that for the Women's Champions League final last year at the same stadium, 59 of the 60 allocated seats were sold, and for the men's Europa League final last season between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin, only 41 of the 93 allocated seats were sold. Uefa also told BBC Sport that it "investigated solutions" for more accessible seats and spoke to disability access officers at United and Spurs. European football's governing body added: "While both indicated they could sell more accessible tickets, they also expressed a preference for maintaining the current allocations rather than increasing numbers at the expense of seat quality."
Man Utd & Spurs disabled fans criticise final ticket allocation
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Disabled Fans Criticize Limited Ticket Allocation for Europa League Final"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Mark Spencer, a member of Spurs Ability who suffers from spinal injuries, voiced his frustration over the situation, noting that he had traveled to Bilbao without a ticket in hopes of attending the match. He expressed feelings of exclusion due to his disability, which he believes has been overlooked by UEFA in their ticket allocation process. Rick Clement, secretary of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association, emphasized that UEFA has a responsibility to support all fans, including those with disabilities. Additionally, Dr. Rita Egan of Spurs Ability criticized UEFA for ignoring previous complaints regarding accessibility. Level Playing Field, a disabled sports charity, also condemned the allocation as a failure on UEFA's part. In defense, UEFA stated it is working to improve the experience for disabled fans and mentioned that historical demand and sightline quality were considered in the ticket allocation process. Despite the organization's claims of past successes in selling accessible tickets, the ongoing issues highlight a broader concern regarding the treatment of disabled fans at major sporting events.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights significant concerns raised by disabled fans of Manchester United and Tottenham regarding the limited availability of wheelchair tickets for the upcoming Europa League final. This issue touches on broader themes of accessibility and inclusivity in sports, particularly for individuals with disabilities. The criticism indicates a gap between the expectations of supporters and the provisions made by the event organizers.
Concerns Over Accessibility
Fans from both clubs have labeled the allocation of only 26 wheelchair tickets as "insulting," given the stadium's capacity and the number of tickets typically available for such events. The allocation of additional 'easy access' seats does not appear to address the fundamental issues raised by the disabled community. The disparity between the expected number of wheelchair spaces according to UEFA guidelines and what has been provided underlines the frustrations felt by the supporters’ groups.
Disputed Claims by UEFA
The response from UEFA claims that there are a total of 75 wheelchair positions available, including neutral spaces, yet both fan groups dispute this information. The disagreement suggests a lack of transparency and raises questions about the effectiveness of UEFA’s commitment to making events accessible to all fans. The criticism from the disabled supporters also reveals a broader issue of representation and inclusion in sports events.
Potential Implications for Future Events
The backlash may lead to increased scrutiny of UEFA and the organizing bodies of similar events, potentially prompting changes in how accessibility is handled in the future. The heightened awareness around this issue could encourage other organizations to reconsider their policies regarding ticket allocations for disabled fans.
Community Support and Solidarity
The supporters' groups involved, such as the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association and Spurs Ability, highlight a community striving for equality and representation. Their actions may resonate with other advocacy groups for people with disabilities, fostering broader support for accessibility rights in various contexts.
Economic and Political Ramifications
While the immediate impact on the economy or stock market from this news may be limited, it could influence public perception of UEFA and its sponsors. If public sentiment shifts negatively, companies associated with these events might face reputational risks. The coverage of accessibility issues in major sports may also affect political discourse surrounding disability rights and inclusion.
The article serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly in the realm of sports. It emphasizes the need for greater accountability and adherence to guidelines designed to protect the rights of all fans. The language used in the article conveys a sense of urgency and frustration, aiming to rally public support for the cause.
The reliability of the article appears high, as it presents clear statements from both fan groups and UEFA, along with data regarding the stadium's capacity and ticket allocation. However, the differing perspectives on ticket availability suggest that further investigation and dialogue are necessary to fully understand the issue.