Fans warned of Madrid scalpers as Spanish police brace for ‘ high risk’ final
Hopeful football fans have arrived in Madrid prepared to part with thousands of pounds for a Champions League final ticket – despite a police clampdown on fakes and resales.
Around 16,000 places each have gone to Tottenham and Liverpool supporters ahead of tonight’s showpiece event, with standard tickets selling for around € 70 (£ 62).
But fans say they have been quoted an average of € 6,000, roughly 100 times the face value, and much more than many are willing to pay.
One Liverpool fan, who gave his name only as John, said he was hoping for “a bit of luck” after arriving in Madrid without a ticket.
The 25- year- old said: “Bit of a tough one, mate, but hopefully might find a bit of luck, find a good soul who can help us out for quite cheap.
“Looking t o spend about € 2,000. Sounds a lot, but it’s a bit of a tough one considering how many people are looking to buy and the prices.
“We’ve s e e n onl i ne t hey are around € 5,000 each, so less than halfway there. We might have to busk today in the square to get some extra money in.”
An e x t r a 1 , 3 0 0 S p a n i s h t ouris m p ol i c e have b e e n deployed to Madrid to help cope with the influx of fans. Spanish officials are deploying unprecedented security measures for the final, which has been declared a “high risk” match.
More than 4,700 securit y personnel from several security areas will be involved in the operation in total.
Police officer Jose Ramon Carrasco said: “We will be looking for people with both counterfeit tickets and also selling and reselling tickets which is not allowed.
“If they [ police] find out, they will take the tickets from these people and fine them.”
He said he expected fans to enjoy themselves, but conduct themselves properly.
Spanish police will also use an anti- drone system ahead of the final.
It comes as officers said they have detained six people and seized 2,000 fake Champions League products that were going to be sold in Madrid ahead of the final.