‘A dangerous mess’: Uefa under more pressure from fans after Champions League final chaos
Uefa are facing more pressure about their ability to stage major events, as another Champions League final descended into “dangerous” chaos, and supporters complained that the situation again put their safety at risk.
Among a series of serious issues faced at Istanbul’s highly-criticised Ataturk Stadium for Manchester City’s victory over Internazionale were:
- Supporters forced to travel on shuttles for up to three hours without water or toilets
- A total lack of guidance and minimal travel options post-game, which left elderly fans and those in wheelchairs forced to traverse a mile of slip road in order to hail down gridlocked taxis, which charged up to €200
- Only two concession stands for an entire end of fans, creating waits for simple cartons of water for up to two hours
- Fewer than 20 toilets serving 20,000 people in the fan zones
- Fans having to abandon transport and climb over scrubland and “building site” surroundings to even make kick-off Read more below about the chaotic situation, including first-hand information from Man City and Inter Milan fans:
Uefa under more pressure from fans after Champions League final chaos
Manchester City and Inter Milan supporters experienced lengthy journeys to the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul and a shortage of water and toilets for Uefa’s showpiece event
Jack Rathborn11 June 2023 15:29
Kevin De Bruyne could miss start of new season after hamstring injury
Kevin De Bruyne could miss the start of next season after suffering a suspected grade three hamstring tear in Manchester City’s Champions League final win over Internazionale.
The midfielder, who will have a scan this week and who will miss Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria and Estonia, admitted he had been at risk of suffering the injury at any point in the last two months.
De Bruyne had scored against Arsenal and Real Madrid as he helped City to their treble before he was hurt in the first half at the Ataturk Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne could miss start of new season after hamstring injury
The Manchester City midfielder was forced off in the first half of the Champions League final
Jamie Braidwood11 June 2023 12:18
Romelu Lukaku has another harrowing moment to ponder after Inter fall short
When Edin Dzeko’s number was up and Romelu Lukaku took the field, the stage was set for the perfect conclusion to Chelsea’s car crash of a season. If Lukaku, the man a team who developed a chronic aversion to scoring, delivered the winning goal in the Champions League, it would be irrefutable proof of Todd Boehly’s anti-Midas touch.
Yet there were colliding forces at play and Manchester City duly benefitted. Lukaku’s previous European final for Inter brought an own goal in defeat to Sevilla in the 2020 Europa League. His 2022-23 may forever be defined by his traumatic second half against Croatia, by the four glaring misses that brought Belgium’s golden generation to an end and eliminated his side from the World Cup. But there was a largely luckless sequel. Inadvertently, he blocked Federico Dimarco’s second header after the wing-back struck the bar. When presented with a glorious opportunity, five yards out, he headed against Ederson’s left knee. A player with 351 career goals risks being defined by the ones he didn’t score.
But, in fairness to Lukaku, if one man won City their maiden Champions League, it was not him, but Ederson. The Brazilian’s passing can feel more notable than his shot-stopping and he rarely features near the top of the charts for save percentage but he produced three superb stops: first Lautaro Martinez was denied then Lukaku and finally, deep into injury-time, Robin Gosens. There were echoes of a compatriot, Alisson, and the 2019 final: scarcely required in the first three-quarters of the game, he was outstanding at the end. “You have to be lucky. Ederson or they miss it, they could draw,” Pep Guardiola reflected. “This competition is a coin.”
Lukaku has another harrowing moment to ponder after Inter fell short
Lukaku’s final was defined by the goals he didn’t score
Richard Jolly11 June 2023 12:01
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Pep Guardiola did not need to lead his side to an historic treble to put himself in contention for “the greatest” football manager of all time.
Rodri’s 68th-minute strike in Saturday’s 1-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan was enough to secure the Spanish manager a 12th major trophy with City and anoint him as the first manager to secure two European trebles, having also accomplished the feat with Barcelona in 2009.
Rio Ferdinand: We all agree Pep Guardiola is one of greatest managers ever
The Spanish manager secured a 12th major trophy with City.
Sonia Twigg11 June 2023 10:30
Pep Guardiola: Manchester City have earned a place among the greats
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have earned a place among the greats after finally winning the Champions League.
City completed the treble on a glorious night in Istanbul on Saturday as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a hard-fought final with a 68th-minute Rodri strike.
City have dominated the domestic scene under Guardiola, winning five Premier League titles in six years as well as two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups, but European success had eluded them.
Manchester City treble-winners can be judged among the greats – Pep Guardiola
City beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul to add the Champions League to their Premier League and FA Cup successes.
Sonia Twigg11 June 2023 10:00
Guardiola: It is an honour from me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson
Pep Guardiola has described how “honoured” he is to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s success after Manchester City became only the second English team, after Manchester United in 1999, to have won the treble.
Guardiola hails ‘honour’ of sharing treble feat with Sir Alex Ferguson
Pep Guardiola has described how “honoured” he is to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s success after Manchester City became only the second English team, after Manchester United in 1999, to have won the treble. City completed the feat with Saturday’s (10 June) Champions League win combined with Premier League and FA Cup victories in the same season. “It is an honour from me to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. I got a message from him this morning and it is an honour,” the City manager said.
Sonia Twigg11 June 2023 09:45
Noel Gallaher: Tonight, the Manchester rain will taste like champagne
Champagne will be falling from the skies of Manchester rather than rain after Manchester City’s Champions League victory, according to celebrity fan Noel Gallagher.
The former Oasis guitarist watched the 1-0 win over Inter Milan with fellow fans in a bar in San Diego, California, where he was on tour – his brother Liam having previously tweeted the volatile band would reform if City completed the third leg of their trophy treble.
“Tonight, the Manchester rain will taste like champagne,” he told BT Sport, predicting this was far from the end of the club’s silverware collection.
Manchester rain to ‘taste like champagne’ as City celebrate Champions League win
Noel Gallagher shares delight as Manchester City fans and players celebrate treble triumph in Istanbul.
Sonia Twigg11 June 2023 09:30
Manchester City celebrate last night’s victory
Manchester City have woken up celebrating their historic Champions League final victory
Sonia Twigg11 June 2023 09:25
Man City fans celebrate Champions League win
It’s fair to say City fans enjoyed watching their side win the Champions League to complete a treble!
Luke Baker11 June 2023 09:00
Man City owner to attend first match in 13 years at Champions League final
Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour attended the Champions League final on Saturday evening.
Club sources confirmed that the sheikh would be present in Istanbul and he duly was as City beat Inter Milan to win Europe’s top club prize for the first time.
It was only the second game he has attended since his investment vehicle, the Abu Dhabi United Group, purchased City in 2008.
Man City owner attends first match in 13 years at Champions League final
It will only be the second game he has attended since his investment vehicle, the Abu Dhabi United Group, purchased City in 2008
Luke Baker11 June 2023 08:30
