“It’s a Disgrace!” – Journalist Slams UEFA’s Treatment of Liverpool Fans | OneFootball

UEFA Must Rethink Fan Treatment Ahead of Liverpool’s Trip to Galatasaray

Liverpool’s preparations for their second Champions League league-phase fixture under Arne Slot have been overshadowed by renewed concerns over supporter safety. As the Reds head to Istanbul for Tuesday night’s clash against Galatasaray, criticism of UEFA’s handling of travelling fans has once again intensified.

This week David Lynch, speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, offered a forthright assessment of UEFA’s approach to football supporters across Europe. His words strike at the heart of a growing issue that continues to tarnish elite competitions and highlights the urgent need for reform.

Calls for accountability over fan welfare

Lynch’s remarks were stark and deserve repeating in full:

“It’s a disgrace. If you’re going to make it so, so difficult for fans to come and watch football in your stadiums, then you shouldn’t be in the competitions until you can guarantee the safety of those supporters.”

“When you read the list of conditions that fans have got to go through, like no toilets on the coaches, you have to go hours and hours before the game, you’re not allowed a power bank so your phone might be died by the end of the game.”

“Who’s doing this for fun? You’re not going into battle, it’s supposed to be an enjoyable experience. I think it’s an absolute disgrace.”

“You look at the issues that Liverpool have had with French clubs and then getting beat up by police in Spain, if anything like that happens these clubs should be under threat and be required to gurantee the safety of supporters.”

“UEFA couldn’t give a hoot about that at the moment. It’s just not right. I couldn’t believe what I was reading when Liverpool published the information.”

These comments resonate because they reflect the frustration and fatigue of ordinary match-going fans. Football’s governing bodies often appear more focused on commercial expansion than the human experience of supporters who invest time, money and passion to follow their teams.

Liverpool’s European journey under Slot

On the pitch, Liverpool have made an encouraging start to their European campaign. A late Virgil van Dijk winner secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the opening match of the group stage. As they now prepare for a testing trip to Turkey, supporters should be looking forward to a high-stakes contest rather than grappling with logistical hurdles and concerns for their personal safety.

Arne Slot, now in his second season at Anfield, has quickly shaped a team that looks tactically assured and emotionally resilient. The Dutchman’s focus, however, risks being overshadowed by the ongoing off-field debate about whether European football’s institutions are adequately protecting those who travel in their thousands to follow the club.

Long overdue reform in European football governance

The challenges described by Lynch are not new. From issues outside French stadiums to police clashes in Spain, incidents have persisted without meaningful change. UEFA’s credibility in safeguarding supporters will remain in question until it demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving travel conditions, stadium entry protocols and on-site facilities.

Liverpool’s fanbase has endured far too many avoidable ordeals over the years. The complaints outlined this week are not isolated gripes, they are symptomatic of a culture that prioritises revenue streams over fan welfare. Lynch’s frank assessment is a reminder that the sport’s custodians must act before trust erodes further.

Focus must return to the football

Tuesday night’s tie in Istanbul should be remembered for the atmosphere, the rivalry and the football itself. Liverpool’s supporters deserve to travel in confidence, to cheer their team and to return home safely. Ensuring that is not a luxury but a responsibility for UEFA and the host clubs involved.

As Liverpool aim to build on their winning start in Europe, the spotlight will inevitably remain on UEFA to prove that it can listen to the concerns raised by voices such as David Lynch on Anfield Index. Until that happens, every European away day will feel like a test of endurance rather than a celebration of football’s most prestigious competition.