Arsenal supporters furious over BATE Borisov kick-off time with fans ‘being forced to buy tickets they can’t use’
The club's supporters' trust have complained to UEFA and asked for reassurance that this will not happen again
Sponsored by
ARSENAL fans are furious that the clash against BATE Borisov will kick-off at 5:55pm - leaving many of them with tickets they can't even use.
The raging supporters have claimed the "unacceptable" planning of the fixture does not give them enough time to get to the Emirates.
UEFA changed the traditional kick-off times for Europa League matches this year in a bid to boost international viewing figures.
But the timing of Thursday's fixture has caused uproar amongst fans who cannot attend due to work and other commitments.
Arsenal's Supporters' Trust have complained to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin about the time of the match and claimed it will cause a bad atmosphere.
When asked about the possible low attendance, Gunners boss Unai Emery said: "I don't know.
"But we want and we need our supporters. A big atmosphere for us is very important."
The statement from AST read: "This is a totally unacceptable and inconvenient kick off time for a vast number of Arsenal fans who would have to travel to the game after work across London, the South East and further afield.
"The result will be a huge number of empty seats and many fans having to pay for a ticket on their season tickets which they cannot use.
"This is both unfair on Arsenal supporters and will lead to a poor atmosphere in the stadium.
latest arsenal news
"Can you also give a reassurance that having been faced with this situation that UEFA Will ensure that such scheduling does not occur again."
The game is officially a sell-out as it is included in Arsenal's seven cup credits issued with a season ticket.
But a number of them will go to waste if the fans are not able to make it to the ground on time.
Some seething supporters have decided to vent their anger on Twitter.
One said: "How can Arsenal game be a 5:55 kick off, that's absolutely ridiculous, how are people meant to get there after work etc?"
While another added: "5:55 kick-off on a weekday... ridiculous."
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back against the the Belarusian side after they were suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in the first leg.
Club legend Martin Keown blasted the Gunners flops and claimed the 1-0 Europa League defeat was their worst performance under Unai Emery.
