By Alex Miller
at Leaders in Football, London
5 October 2011
Uefa’s general secretary Gianni Infantino has admitted ticket prices for last season’s Champions League final at Wembley “slipped through Uefa’s net” and promised that prices “won’t be so high in 2013”.
Prices for the 2011 final between Barcelona and Manchester United, not including administration fees, started at £150 for category three tickets, rising to £225 and £300 for the best seating in categories two and one respectively. Wheelchair entry cost £80. The final generated an estimated £14m.
However, only last February as Uefa revealed the pricing, the governing body said the prices were in line with comparable events such as the World Cup final.
A spokesman said: “We don’t think that the Champions League final is overpriced”.
The 2012 final will be in Munich before returning to London in 2013. And today, while discussing the prospect of the second final in three years at Wembley, Infantino has made a U-turn on the pricing.
Infantino said pricing was decided by national associations and Uefa, adding: “We will have to look at inflation and whether the Euro is still there”.
Separately, speaking at the Leaders in Football Conference in London, Infantino has confirmed all 53-member countries are “unanimous” in their desire to kick off the ‘week of football’ from 2014, which will see countries play two matches during international weeks.
Infantino confirmed a calendar of agreement with broadcasters had been agreed and will be revealed in the first quarter of next year.
Under the new format, international teams will play on Thursday and Sunday, Friday and Monday or Saturday and Tuesday, making full use of weekends.
Infantino said: “All 53 associations are in favour and this will be the format of (international) football. Uefa wants international games played every day.
“The format change will offer more opportunities for broadcasters”
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