Arsenal vs PSG Ticket Dispute: UEFA Complaint Ahead of Champions League Semi-Final

A ticket budget dispute has broken out between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash.

The French club is appealing to UEFA over what they claim is an “unfair” decision by Arsenal regarding away fan tickets for the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Key Highlights of the Arsenal vs PSG Ticket Controversy:

Champions League Semi-Final Fixture:

First leg: Arsenal vs PSG at Emirates Stadium, London – scheduled for Tuesday.
Second leg: Set to take place in Paris eight days later.

Background of the Rivalry:

Arsenal defeated PSG 2-0 in the group stage earlier this season.
PSG have since bounced back, eliminating Brest, Liverpool, and Aston Villa in the knockout rounds.

Ticket Allocation Dispute:

UEFA Regulation: Requires clubs to allocate 5% of the stadium’s capacity to away supporters.
Arsenal’s Allocation: Only 2,500 tickets were offered to PSG fans, just under 4% of Emirates Stadium’s capacity.
Previous Allocation: PSG received 3,000 tickets during the group stage game on October 1.

PSG’s Reaction:

PSG formally complained to UEFA, arguing that the decision is against the spirit of fair play.
The French side is considering “other avenues of appeal” if UEFA does not resolve the issue before the match.
PSG fans received an official email from the club on Thursday with ticket information for the Emirates clash.

Arsenal’s Justification:

The club cited security concerns and advice from local authorities as the reason for the reduced allocation.
The London Marathon, held just two days before the match, was mentioned as a contributing factor to the decision.

Controversial Timing:

Despite the marathon occurring more than 48 hours before kickoff, PSG argues that it should not impact ticket distribution.
PSG believes the move is an unfair competitive disadvantage and not in accordance with UEFA’s standard procedures.