MSP urges Uefa to ‘learn lessons’ from chaotic scenes at final

CONSEVATIVE MSP Murdo Fraser has called on Uefa to “learn lessons” from chaotic scenes at the Europa League Final between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Light Blues fan was in Seville for the game at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and saw first-hand clear organisational failings, including kiosks running out of water and food in the searing 30-degree heat.

The Rangers Review has reported that desperate fans, suffering dehydration at the showpiece event were forced to pull used plastic cups and bottles out of bins as receptacles to collect tap water from toilets.

But remarkably, not long after, the stadium’s water supply failed leaving many fans without access to fluids.

And Fraser feels the failings of the governing body could have wreaked tragedy on the Rangers support in the circumstances.

He said: “There are serious questions for Uefa about the organisation of some aspects of the final.

“We experienced long delays in being allowed into the stadium, with no explanation being given for us being held up by the police.

“Once inside, there were excessive queues for the catering and not enough supplies of food or drink. This created a potentially dangerous situation for fans suffering from dehydration in the hot conditions.

“A tragedy might well have occurred due to these failings. I am sure that the Club will be following these up with Uefa, and I hope that lessons will be learned.”

Uefa apologised to fans in attendance at the venue yesterday, admitting they had not foreseen the levels of demand for refreshments.

A spokesman told us: “Even though the quantity of food and beverages planned by concessionaires was much bigger than what is usually served during a domestic sold-out match at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, it still was not enough to meet the extraordinary demand of the day and Uefa wishes to sincerely apologise to fans for the inconvenience created.”