Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (R) celebrates with Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah after scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Huddersfield at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 26, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Chaos has been expected throughout the city of Madrid this weekend as fans of Liverpool and Spurs flock to the city for the Champions League Final. Those travelling to the Spanish capital have been warned to avoid Madrid Airport, which can only process 3000 people an hour at peak capacity, with 150 000 fans expected in the city for the English football party.
To make matters worse Madrid airport workers have been striking over conditions since last month and there is also ongoing industrial action affecting the city’s metro system.
“We are currently, however, recommending bypassing Madrid Airport as it normally only handles 2,000-3,000 passengers an hour. That number is expected to rise to more than 6,000 per hour, causing lengthy passport control delays in and out.
“We are suggesting flights to Zaragoza or Valencia which are both a few hours away by luxury coach, but that will be a lot more relaxing than the chaos at Madrid Airport,” said Air Charter Service spokesperson Glenn Phillips.
Fans are also already expressing discontent, claiming that prices at all the city’s hotels, restaurants and even AirBnBs have skyrocketed, with numerous accusations of price-gouging.
Each club has been allocated only 16,613 tickets for the all-English final, a decision both sets of fans have criticised as ‘measley’ meaning that the few tickets that are on sale are extremely expensive. A seat at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano ground for this season’s most anticipated European clash is now available online for R130 000 each in category four.
A joint statement from the two clubs’ supporters said, “For many, the final is not a one-off event. It is the culmination of a season-long journey for fans,
“But supporters’ joy has been tempered by the extortionate costs of travel, accommodation and tickets – if they get a ticket at all with the measly allocation from UEFA.”
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