What do Italian fans think of UEFA?

[CallingACFans]

Hi there,

I am a English journalism student and I am currently conducting an investigation into UEFA and their organisation of the 2007 Champions League final in Athens.

I am desperately seeking the answers to the questions below. They relate mainly to the perceptions Italian fans have of UEFA. If anyone can find the time to answer them it would be very, very, very much appreciated.

Please note the term ‘trouble’ relates to both those Liverpool supporters trying to gain access illegally and the subsequent refusal of entry to those supporters with legitimate tickets. ‘Supporter unrest’ relates to the hostility towards police and the acts of violence that occurred as a result.

1) AC Milan’s victory was obviously the main talking point but how was the trouble outside the Olympic Stadium and resulting supporter unrest reflected in the Italian media?

2) Who did the Italian media blame for the trouble? UEFA, the Greek authorities or Liverpool supporters?

3) The day after the final Michel Platini praised Milan fans for their impeccable behaviour. How was this received by Milan fans (what did they think?)?

4) In England fans were angry about the number of tickets available to the fans. Was it the same in Italy?

5) Are fans in Italy angry at the distribution of tickets to corporate partners/companies (such as Mastercard) for Champions League matches?

6) Did the Italian media make any criticisms regarding the lack of turnstiles/facilities at the Olympic Stadium?

7) Did the Italian media make any criticisms regarding the policing/stewarding of the event?

8) Finally, were there any criticisms of UEFA’s organisation following the 2005 final in Istanbul?

Thank you in advance for your help. Forza Milan!

[CallingACFans]

Thanks to all those of you who have looked at my post.

If anyone has an answer to even just one of the questions I would be glad to hear from them.

The smallest piece of information could help.

[Giovanni]

You received no responses because on here i am the only italian based poster. The others couldn't reply you.


1) AC Milan’s victory was obviously the main talking point but how was the trouble outside the Olympic Stadium and resulting supporter unrest reflected in the Italian media?

The attention was focused elsewhere. There was little reflection of it. I was in Milan central square so i might have missed news and reports before the match. After that, there was very few attention to it.

2) Who did the Italian media blame for the trouble? UEFA, the Greek authorities or Liverpool supporters?

They blamed Liverpool fans trying to get inside the stadium regardless of the tickets. But it was reflected as the big number of fans come to Athens.

3) The day after the final Michel Platini praised Milan fans for their impeccable behaviour. How was this received by Milan fans (what did they think?)?

Indifference. We're used to be bashed by international media as italian fans. I don't pay attention to it either in positives or in negatives.

4) In England fans were angry about the number of tickets available to the fans. Was it the same in Italy?

No. We know that at best you can get 20.000 tickets.

5) Are fans in Italy angry at the distribution of tickets to corporate partners/companies (such as Mastercard) for Champions League matches?

I asked a few friends through my links and found ticket + a place on a flight charter, but being a student it turned to be too expensive, even though it was the cheapest deal possible (500 E)

6) Did the Italian media make any criticisms regarding the lack of turnstiles/facilities at the Olympic Stadium?

No. That stadium is a blessing for us. How could you criticise it, when you won 2 CL inside there ?

7) Did the Italian media make any criticisms regarding the policing/stewarding of the event?

No. They surely were better than ours :sun:

8) Finally, were there any criticisms of UEFA’s organisation following the 2005 final in Istanbul?

It was said the stadium was too far from the city and too "new". It lacked flair and history. They blamed the track around the pitch.

[Rico]

I'm sure you could get more Italians to give their views too. :)

[CallingACFans]

Thank you, Giovanni. Really appreciate you taking the time to do that. Some interesting answers too. Thanks.

Anyone else? Please!!!

[hitmannq8]

I could only help you with the last question.

The stadium was indeed too far from the city, but I dont know what Gio means when he says the city lacks history, but this is Istanbul we are talking about, it is a great city with alot of history and action (even moreso than Milano).

Other problems were how the tickets were organized.. because Istanbul was just a 3 hour drive from Italy I thought I would see the stadium packed with Milan fans but boy was I wrong. From 80,000 fans I would say 70,000 were liverpool fans and I was right in the middle of them. It was absolutely terrible, it was hard to celebrate the 3 goals we scored, and it was even worse when they scored 3 back. No Milan fan in sight in my area (and I was supposedly in the neutral area).

The organization of the final was good and everything was fantastic, it was just the tickets.. it would have been better if it was more like Athens where there were 50% Milan fans and 50% Liverpool fans.

[Giovanni]

I could only help you with the last question.

The stadium was indeed too far from the city, but I dont know what Gio means when he says the city lacks history, but this is Istanbul we are talking about, it is a great city with alot of history and action (even moreso than Milano).



How can you possibly attribute me such a stupid comment ? :D
I said the stadium lacked history, according to the images and reports.

Constantinopolis, Bysantium and Istanbul have been the different faces of a great capital between the western and the eastern world.

[hitmannq8]

sorry Gio, yes you are right that the stadium was a new stadium and not much went on in that stadium before that final. But its alright, now we made Istanbul our city just in case it happens there in the future :D