Manchester United have urged ticketless supporters to stay away from Moscow for next Wednesday?s Champions League final?
Over 300 fans ignored a similar warning issued prior to United?s title-decider at Wigan on Sunday, leading to a potential safety risk.
Paying patrons opened the emergency exits at the JJB Stadium to allow the non-paying supporters congregated outside the ground entrance to see the Red Devils lift their 10th Premier League crown.
While no injuries have been reported, United official were deeply concerned that the lax security could have spawned a hazardous situation.
Dangerous
“Understandably everyone wanted to join in the celebrations but there clearly needs to be a review of security procedures in case it happens again,” said Colin Hendrie, vice-chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association.
United?s head of communications Phil Townsend added: “Such incidents are potentially dangerous but we have not received a complaint from Wigan. Sunday’s game created an exceptional set of circumstances which are unlikely to be repeated.”
Wigan spokesman Andy Maxey said: “At the end, Manchester United fans went down and opened the emergency exits, which let people from outside in for the celebrations.”
Concern
There were 15 arrests made on the day, which police have labelled an ?average? amount, and the FA are unlikely to launch an inquiry as no one has yet lodged an official complaint.
However, the incident has sparked concern over what may happen in Moscow next week when United face Chelsea to battle for the biggest prize in Europe.
There were reports from Athens last year that a number of supporters gained entry to the Champions League final clash between Liverpool and AC Milan with false tickets or without tickets at all, thus denying certain paid-up supporters entry and sparking a minor ruckus outside the stadium.
Townshend has warned United supporters not to travel to Russia without a ticket, fully aware that while the ticket acts as a visa, it is still possible to access the country via traditional means ? i.e. passports and paperwork.
“Our advice is definitely do not travel without a ticket,” he said.
No Repeat
Meanwhile, the Russians are working hard to ensure security measures are up to scratch, and have introduced new ?choke points? at the Luzhniki Stadium to help weed out the frauds more effectively.
“We’re determined to make sure that what happened at the Champions League final in Athens last year isn’t repeated,” said spokeswoman Julia Zhurkina. “The problem was that many people got inside who had false tickets. There was no way to get them out and as a result many people with real tickets couldn’t get in.
“In January and February we installed a new tourniquet system [in which fans are constricted into narrow lanes] similar to the one used in other European stadiums. We’ve now tested it out during 12 matches, including the Russian championship and the match between Spartak and Bayern Munich.
“The system is designed to provide safe access to the stadium. If you have a false ticket, or no ticket, you won’t get in.”
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