Hicks hits back at UEFA 'clown' and blasts 'insane' ticketing system

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

UEFA president Michel Platini is to present a report to Sports Minister Richard Caborn in Brussels today which is expected to be highly critical of Reds fans and include a dossier of 25 unsavoury incidents involving their supporters in the last four years.

Scroll down for more

Proud: Tom Hicks and George Gillett are keen to defend their club's fans

Much of the criticism surrounds the conduct of Liverpool fans in Athens before the Champions League final last month, where fans without tickets or with fakes were able to gain access to the stadium at the expense of genuine ticket-holders and Greek police had to use tear gas in a bid to quell the chaos.

But Hicks lays the blame for the problems at UEFA's door, and asked to respond to Gaillard's damning comments about Liverpool fans, he said: "The clown from UEFA who said that doesn't know what he's talking about.

"UEFA did not handle this right at all. To give 17,000 tickets to the two teams, particularly knowing Liverpool are going to bring 40,000 fans, is insane.

"It's a classic case of a bureaucrat trying to take the pressure off himself. They didn't handle it right, they didn't have proper ticketing procedures and unfortunately there were counterfeit tickets.

"There were fans who paid their hard-earned money to get their tickets and they get to the stadium and are told there is no more room. Are they (the fans) mad? Sure they're mad."

On a more positive note Hicks is keen to show fans the finished design for the club's new stadium, to be built close to the current Anfield ground in Stanley Park.

"The design is now final, it's spectacular and I can't wait for everybody to see it," he added.

"I think our fans will love it, it's very creative architecture, very contemporary but also unique to Liverpool.

"It is all centred around the Kop. It will be the symphony stage that plays to the symphony hall."