Arsenal fans caught up in Ukraine crisis
Arsenal football fans have had their travel plans thrown into chaos by a last minute decision by soccer governing body UEFA to switch their Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava to Kiev.
The announcement came last night after a number of areas of Ukraine were placed under martial law due to escalating tensions with Russia.
Some fans had already travelled to Poltava, which is a six-hour journey from Kiev. One wrote on Twitter: "Imagine spending hundreds of pounds on flights/ hotels/ train tickets to go watch arsenal play in Poltava and they move the game to Kiev (6 hours away) 2 days before the match… THANKS- @UEFA @Arsenal."
Another said: "What a joke what about my train and hotel I’ve paid [for]."
It is understood UEFA made the decision to move the match because Kharkiv, the closest airport to Poltava, is one of the areas included under martial law.
Match tickets are expected to be valid for the new venue, but it is not clear whether fans will be compensated for additional travel and accommodation, said the Standard.
Around 800 Gunners fans are believed to have bought match tickets, but fewer than half that number were expected to travel.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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