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The Arsenal travel plan in chaos after the UEFA match in Ukraine
Political tension in the region sees the tie moved to Kiev … with fans and staff already 211 miles from Poltava
Arsenal's travel plans were upset by the late decision of UEFA to transfer their UEFA Europa League clash against Vorskla Poltava to Kiev, writes James Olley – who is currently somewhere between Poltava and Kiev. ..
UEFA made the announcement last night after large swathes of Ukraine were placed under martial law in the face of escalating political tensions in the region.
Standard Sport understands that the gunners were surprised by UEFA's intervention following the body's emergency committee meeting.
Several members of the club's support staff, including their security team and their leader, had already arrived in Poltava, a four-hour drive from Kiev, yesterday before the expected arrival of that day.
A small number of fans also traveled to Kharkiv and made the 100 km trip to Poltava. UEFA said the match would not be played in camera, but Arsenal was still waiting for confirmation this morning.
Match tickets should be valid for the new venue, but it is unclear whether fans will be compensated for their new travel plans and accommodations if they are allowed to enter the stadium.
A fan of Arsenal wrote on Twitter: "Imagine spending hundreds of pounds on plane / hotel / train tickets to attend an arsenal match in Poltava and move the game to Kiev (a 6-hour drive away) ) 2 days before the match … THANKS @UEFA @Arsenal. "
Another said, "What a joke, what did I pay for with my train and my hotel? [for]. "
Poltava was really surprised to see that the game had been moved, as this is not one of the areas governed by martial law, but it is thought that UEFA's reasoning is about the decision of the Ukrainian government to include Kharkiv, the closest airport to Poltava.
Under martial law, access to airports is strictly controlled and Arsenal must fly to Kharkiv today. Security problems have forced new thinking.
The Gunners had initially planned to enter a military airfield in Poltava to enter and exit directly, but this request was rejected a few weeks before the last hostilities.
The initial project was that coach Unai Emery conducts training at Poltava, but since the change of club, Arsenal has chosen to prepare on his London Colney base before taking the plane to Lutin this afternoon, directly from Kiev.
The qualifications for the last 32 games of the competition being assured, Arsenal had always planned to leave several senior players in London for this match.
Doubts began to grow in official circles regarding the venue of the match last Sunday, when Russia captured three Ukrainian warships and 23 crewmembers off the coast of Crimea, the disputed region annexed in 2014. Ukraine later stated that this was an act of aggression. while Russia replied that the ships had entered the waters illegally.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has warned against a "major war" between the two countries. US President Donald Trump has threatened to cancel the G20 summit with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Buenos Aires later this week.
Arsenal was this morning finalizing the arrangements for his fans on the road. About 800 would have bought tickets, but less than half of them would travel. The relocation of the confrontation in Kiev has at least a definite advantage for head coach Emery (above) and his players because they can go directly to Kiev, instead of going to Kharkiv and face a path two hours by bus to Poltava, as planned.
The UEFA Emergency Committee decided, for security reasons, to move our away match against FC Vorskla Poltava in Kiev, following the introduction of martial law in some countries. regions of Ukraine.
"The match will take place on Thursday at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. The coup de send will be given at 17:55 English time (19:35 local).
"We are working closely with UEFA and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of all our supporters traveling to and from Ukraine.
"Other updates regarding match arrangements for supporters will be made as soon as we have received confirmation from UEFA."
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