20,000 ticketless West Ham United fans set to watch Conference League final in Prague
Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill has claimed that 20,000 West Ham fans are set to watch the Europa Conference League final in Prague city centre, as relayed by the Football Daily Twitter account.
That is said to be the number of ticketless Hammers who won’t be inside the Eden Stadium for the showpiece clash against Fiorentina.
The home of Slavia Prague will host the second-ever ECL final with the supply of tickets nowhere near enough to meet the demand from supporters.
The extent of the situation was outlined by Cotterill who was speaking on what is a fitting finale for Declan Rice at the Eden Stadium, in what is expected to be his last game for the club.
“Small stadium, by the way. Just a 20,000 capacity,” he said.
“Just 5,000 official tickets sold to West Ham fans, although 20,000 we are told will be in the city so that will be an interesting side issue to watch, but if Declan Rice does lift that trophy, what a way for him to go out, and move on.”
Numbers
It is utterly ridiculous for a 20,000-capacity stadium to be selected for a major European final.
No matter who is involved, the demand will be there from the supporters of the competing finalists, never mind sponsors and local fans who will take a chunk of the briefs.
Despite the official allocation of just 5000 to West Ham and Fiorentina, Hammers fans will have snapped up other tickets in the public sale on UEFA’s website then there will be other means of acquiring the gold-dust tickets for eye-watering amounts on the black market due to the dynamics of supply and demand, unfortunately.
It is a historic occasion for all at the club, with every fan wanting to be there. The lucky minority will be inside the ground cheering on the Irons with even more set to party in Prague’s city centre.
It is a case of making the most of a disappointing situation as ordinary, match-going fans are let down by UEFA yet again.