England Supporters Club

Some of the rationalisations of the 3000 ticket allocation to ESTC members have been too accepting of that mean number - some explanations verge on the pompous and patronising. Putting aside references to the pandemic etc, the real explanation is to be found in UEFA's traditional arrogance - in the good old FIFA tradition - and the English FA's active or passive support. 

A 3000 allocation has been justified as a "fair" pro-rata reduction in the usual 12000 allocation. An allocation of 12000 as a share of the 85000-90000 capacity is outrageously unfair. Remember there has been no general sale to the public of tickets for the EURO matches at Wembley - we all had to be paid-up ESTC members. Where the heck were the other 75000-plus tickets allocated originally?

The balance of reduced capacity tickets i.e. about 15000 or so, after the 3000 allocated to England Fans, and 3000 to the opponent team Fans, are clearly going to UEFA, it's mates, cronies, assorted hangers-on, and the lucrative hospitality ticket holders. Most likely as a result of a cowardly deal struck by the English FA with UEFA, to get the matches "awarded" to Wembley.

This unfair allocation has to stop for future tournaments. I do not begrudge those who heard on Thursday that they have tickets - good luck to them. The ballot process was fair, given constraints resulting from the pandemic. The real issue remains the unfair original share allocated to Supporter Club members - England, and Opponents too!.

This unfairness is reflected in ticket allocation for the Men's Champions League final in Portugal. Out of 20000 available tickets, just 12000 are allocated to the two English Finalists, to be split 50;50. Leaving 80000 other tickets. A British Government Minister said this week that UEFA wanted 2000 tickets for "UEFA Delegates" - a polite term for the mates, cronies, hangers-on who fancy a jolly in sunny Portugal.

From a very disgruntled and loyal England Fan.