Blame UEFA for Kiev sting

It Is not just the outrageous hotel prices, the dwindling available flights, or the fact UEFA block off half the city for themselves and the famous ‘football family’ whenever there is a Champions League final.

Now that television dictates the semi-finals are played on separate days it gives fans of one of the finalists a significant advantage in snapping up the available facilities. By the time Liverpool knew they were through to Kiev, followers of Real Madrid had had 24 hours to secure the remaining accommodation. Reduced availability left prices at a premium. It was the same for England supporters at the European Championship in 2012.

France had known they were playing in Donetsk on June 11 for almost an hour when England’s name emerged, one of the last, from the hat. French fans got the break on the very scant hotel rooms. With a draw, however, this is unavoidable. For the Champions League final, it is simply unfair — and UEFA have made it this way.

More should be done to avoid the rip-offs, too. Now the final goes out to tender, one condition should be that no hotel room can be sold for more than five times its price in an average week. And while that still sounds exorbitant, current markups are well in advance. A Kiev hotel that usually charges £22 per night, is currently on the market for £1,307.66, on Booking.com. that is almost 60 times usual cost. And, incredibly, it has takers.