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Chelsea bans Greeks from buying tickets
In anticipation of its next Champions League game, English club says those
of Greek nationality who are not members of the team's club will have their
online orders canceled for the match against Gree[k side Olumpiakos]
By Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
March 1, 2008
If Alexi Lalas or Peter Vagenas wanted to make a quick trip to England to
watch Chelsea play Olympiakos of Greece in a European Champions League match
on Wednesday, they would be out of luck.
The Galaxy supposedly has a "special relationship" with the English Premier
League club, but that would not make any difference.
Lalas, the Galaxy's president, and Vagenas, its veteran midfielder, both
have Greek surnames, and Chelsea, astonishingly, is banning anyone with
Greek roots from obtaining tickets to the game. Or at least those who are
not official members of the club.
"Nonmembers of a Greek nationality buying tickets for the Olympiakos game
will have their orders canceled," Chelsea said on its official website.
It already has happened. English newspapers reported that one fan, Peter
Pakos, had tried to buy two tickets to the match for almost $200, only to be
rebuffed. "It's incredible discrimination," Pakos told reporters. "It's
shortsighted and clumsy. We may have a Greek background, but we're Chelsea
fans through and through."
Stung by such unwanted publicity, Chelsea late Friday said that its policy
extended only to those buying tickets online. Those buying in person would
not be affected, it said.
The club said its policy was in accordance with UEFA regulations on the
segregation of fans, and that it was trying to prevent Olympiakos supporters
in Greece from buying tickets online for seats reserved for Chelsea fans.
Chelsea and Olympiakos tied, 0-0, in Greece in the first game and
Wednesday's winner will advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/chivas/la-spw-soccer1mar01,1,6268829.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Down with the Chelsea mfs. |
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