No extra Euro final tickets for Reds

Liverpool will not receive any extra tickets for the Champions League final in Athens on May 23 despite making a complaint to European football's governing body Uefa.

The Merseysiders have been given just 17,000 tickets for their final rematch with Italian AC Milan at the 63,000-capacity Olympic Stadium.

And with demand obviuously outstripping supply, tickets are trading for more than £1,000 on some agency websites

The five-times European champions said: "The bottom line is that Uefa have not supplied anywhere near enough tickets for the Champions League Final.

"Liverpool have expressed their disappointment and frustration to Uefa - but have been told categorically that no more tickets will be allocated to the club, not even the returned tickets from Milan - they will go into a Uefa ballot.

"Liverpool Football Club understands and shares the disappointment of their fans in what is a very frustrating situation. Our policy on tickets was available right from the start of the season and has not changed."

The Reds added: "The ballot for Liverpool fans was drawn up to be as fair as possible to fans, but the bottom line is that Uefa have not supplied enough tickets for the match."

Liverpool have been criticised by their own fans for their methods of distribution, with some having made arrangements to travel only to be told they will not qualify for a ticket.

They have operated a fancard policy throughout the campaign whereby supporters earn a point for each European game attended this season - or more accurately, ticket bought.

Those fans with seven or more points qualified while those with less - in many cases season-ticket holders who have been unable to travel abroad - have been entered into a ballot.

Uefa have responded to Liverpool's complaints by insisting their allocation is fair with a spokesman saying: "If we built a stadium with a million seats, the match would still sell out and supporters would not be able to see the pitch.

"It's impossible more will be released in the coming weeks - 17,000 is the final figure."

Two years ago Liverpool received an allocation of 20,000 for the final in Istanbul, but it is estimated around 40,000 fans gained access.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.