NYON: UEFA president Michel Platini has kept his promise and announced a reduction in ticket prices for the Champions League Final at Wembley in May writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Platini had said he would address ticket price ahead of the 2011 final at the same venue but the European federation ‘forgot’. The Frenchman, on being reminded by the media, insisted that the error would be rectified.

Now UEFA has confirmed its master’s voice by reducing the cheapest ticket for this year’s final at Wembley to £68, compared with £176 in 2011.

A spokesman said: “It is correct we should give the opportunity to everyone to go to the match irrespective of their financial conditions.”

However only 13,000 of the 59,000 tickets on general sale will be priced in this new low category. The rest will be sold at much higher prices ranging from £140 to £330. Tickets start to go on sale via the UEFA website on Monday.

This year’s competition resumes next week with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Celtic, Arsenal, AC Milan and Bayern Munich all involved in the last 16 ties.

High ticket prices has evolved as an issue in the Premier League this season.

Last month Manchester City fans returned nearly a third of the ticket allocation for their game at Arsenal, saying the £62 price was too high.

Supporters groups have warned the Premier League it risks alienating a generation of fans by charging too much to watch games.

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