 "Why Europa League final in Bilbao has left English fans struggling and UEFA under scrutiny")
The 2025 Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur is set to be played in Bilbao, Spain, on 22 May. While fans are excited to see their teams in a big European final, many are facing major challenges just trying to get there. UEFA has come under scrutiny because of this situation.
English fans from both clubs are reportedly finding it extremely hard and expensive to make the trip to Spain. A Spurs supporter told The Independent that he had to spend almost as much as he does on a season ticket just to attend the final. A Manchester United fan added that direct flights to Bilbao were too expensive and hotels were limited so he and his group decided to fly to Bordeaux in France instead and then travel to Bilbao from there.
Thousands of supports of both United and Spurs are expected to reach Bilbao for the Europa League final. The city is reportedly not built to handle these many visitors at once. Fans are worried that the overcrowding and high prices will ruin the experience of the final. Some supporters also feel that they are being taken advantage of and blamed UEFA for the mess.
“There is profiteering everywhere but, with so little time to book, it’s just wrong that this happens every final. I’m not sure what Uefa can do, but surely something. The majority get royally done over just wanting to see their team in a rare European final,” Barney Chilton of the Red News fanzine was quoted as saying.
Fans also questioned why UEFA always chooses cities that can’t handle large crowds for major events. Bilbao was given the hosting rights for the 2025 Europa League final in 2021 after missing out as a host for Euro 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were similar concerns during last year’s Europa League final when UEFA awarded the rights to Dublin.
Fan groups have said that UEFA should think more about the supporters. A Spurs fan said, “Football asks so much of fans to create atmosphere, and you’re always reminded how little they care about you.” Meanwhile, the report claimed that UEFA is not very transparent when it comes to selecting the host for an event. It further stated that UEFA hasn’t held a vote for the Europa League final since 2018.
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