Moscow

[The Glove]

Passport number? Why do they need that?

Me thinks it will all change once we actually get to the final.

[RoadEnd]

I wouldnt mind so much if there was any proper chance of GETTING a ticket for a european away, but they're now sold based on the previous season's away attendance, so either way, you're fecked.

I wonder how many of those on the first tier of criteria eligibility will actually take a ticket. I suspect nearly all will take a ticket but plenty will sell it on for a huge amount and wont even go. I doubt they'll be cross-referencing names on tickets against passports at the ground.

I don't think that people will be able to sell the ticket on - as the visa will be in the name of the original ticket holder. They wont be alllowed into the country - let alone the ground.

[Craig_H]

Passport number? Why do they need that?

Me thinks it will all change once we actually get to the final.

What do you think will change?

[Craig_H]

I don't think that people will be able to sell the ticket on - as the visa will be in the name of the original ticket holder. They wont be alllowed into the country - let alone the ground.

Interesting point that.

[The Glove]

What do you think will change?

Well can you see Russia closing its borders to people from the UK unless they have a match ticket? I cant. Everyone will still be able to apply for a visa but then its gonna be a case of seeing if you get one in time or not. Once youre in Russia they wont be arsed checking tickets against passports at the ground. Every year we have the same waffle. The only difference this time is you need a visa and the time it takes to get a visa. Bang it in now and you'd be fine. Wait and youre risking not getting into Russia in time.

I'll be getting a spare in my dads name since he cant go and was gonna give it to my mate. Now he'll have to get a visa sorted were as mine should be ok. If he cant then I'll just shift it to anyone who gets there.

[Craig_H]

I see.

I was thinking the same about visas, anyone can apply for one, and i'm sure plenty of people do every day. The match is merely consequential, with regards to the visa-giving process.

[RoadEnd]

I see.

I was thinking the same about visas, anyone can apply for one, and i'm sure plenty of people do every day. The match is merely consequential, with regards to the visa-giving process.

My understanding is that it will be difficult for personal applications to get a visa in time for the match, even if you apply now.

The club are able to make a "mass" application due to special arrangements. I wouldn't rely on someone trying to apply for a visa on their own.

[RoadEnd]

"In order to apply for your visa, you'll need an invitation (also called visa support), either from the private individual who is inviting you to visit, or, more likely, from a travel agency who specializes in that sort of thing, of which there are many in Russia. An invitation should set you back about $30-50 from a Russian agency, and most have websites where you can order yours instantly. Once you have your invitation, you can go to your local Russian consulate and fill out an application. You'll need two passport photos, and you'll have to pay the fee before your visa is processed. The visa will typically take a couple of weeks, but you can pay more if you need it in a hurry. Once you pick your visa up, make sure all of the information, including your dates of travel, is correct. And once you're in Russia, be sure to carry your passport with your visa on you at all times, as policemen have the right to ask you for your documents for no reason (one of those pesky little quirks that make us love Russia so).

Also, be sure to register your visa within 72 hours of arriving in Russia. Usually, more upscale hotels will take care of your registration for free, and some hostel will register your visa for a fee, or you can do it yourself at the visa bureau in Moscow, but it's a pain if you don't speak Russian and generally not worth the hassle if you can have someone do it for you. If you do decide to register yourself, you must do it with the company that issued your invitation. "

[RoadEnd]

The essential Champions League final guide to Moscow

By Oliver Brown
Last Updated: 1:12am BST 11/04/2008

Have your say Read comments

Getting there

It will not be easy for supporters to get to the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21. The city is not exactly well served by budget airlines – no cut-price routes exist from London – and the cheapest scheduled flights for a three-day experience to take in the final are with the Polish airline Lot at £373 (flying via Warsaw). So it may be worth exploring some more circuitous routes, since there are cut-price deals from Bari and Venice in Italy, Riga in Latvia and Hamburg in Germany.

A notoriously expensive city for visitors, Moscow does not boast an abundance of budget accommodation, so fans are advised to make their hotel plans well in advance – and even that may be difficult. The chances of finding a good rate at this stage are slim; a search on the comprehensive travel website Expedia yesterday showed that not a single room was available on the night of the final in the Russian capital or its vicinity.

Being allowed there

Not having a hotel already booked for the Champions League final creates another major problem, in that an 'invitation’ – conventionally from a hotel or some other form of accommodation – is required to obtain a visa to enter Russia. The visa application process can be a labyrinthine affair requiring passport photocopies, and it costs a minimum of £30.

[RoadEnd]

Liverpool fans angry over Moscow final

By Henry Winter
Last Updated: 1:39pm BST 11/04/2008

Liverpool supporters have called on Uefa to act over Russia's insistence that fans of teams who reach the Champions League final in Moscow must have expensive visas which can take weeks to process. With either Liverpool or Chelsea in the final, along with Manchester United if they elude Barcelona, 50,000 English supporters are expected to travel.

After the conclusion of the semi-final on 29-30 April, there will be a mad rush to sort out visas for the May 21 final (although the more confident have already started). Such was the visa chaos before England's game with Russia that some fans even missed kick-off at the Luzhniki because of delays in collecting visas at the British Embassy in Moscow. Fans are also upset about the cost - up to £95.

"It is ridiculous that Uefa can allow Russia to charge for visas, to attend a final they should be privileged to host, especially considering the huge distances the supporters of any likely finalists would have to travel, and the high cost of doing so," said James McKenna, spokesperson for the Liverpool fans' pressure group, Spirit Of Shankly.

"Why can't Uefa look at the logistics of a final beforehand, for the fans that will be travelling across the continent to see their team in the most prestigious club football final there is?"

Neil Atkinson, chair of Spirit of Shankly, added: "We're hoping the three remaining English clubs, the FA, Uefa and perhaps even the Government will have dialogue with supporters of all three clubs to try to resolve these issues not just for the forthcoming final – where the clock is ticking fast - but for years to come. It's about time supporters were shown due consideration."

[twistnkuyt]

You can get the Russian visa invitation from www.getrussian.com, which is where we got ours, instantly for £19.99. You don't need to have flights or accomadation booked.

[Craig_H]

You can get the Russian visa invitation from www.getrussian.com, which is where we got ours, instantly for £19.99. You don't need to have flights or accomadation booked.

You sure they're legit visas though?

[Red_hot]

If we get through, I'm going to be either in a bar in Liverpool getting very drunk OR in a party that I've organised in mine or a mates house getting very drunk in comfort!!

[Craig_H]

If we get through, I'm going to be either in a bar in Liverpool getting very drunk OR in a party that I've organised in mine or a mates house getting very drunk in comfort!!

I'm thinking along the same lines actually. It's sounding far too difficult and expensive this time around.

[Red_hot]

Yep and if you can't get a visa without your name on a ticket I'd be ****ed anyway! It's all a load of bollocks. Why the **** they have to make the final on the other side of the planet from all the teams likely to have a chance of getting there I don't know.

Anyway, I'm fancying the idea of a party cos having done Liverpool in 2005 I'm not sure I fancy being a squished sardine in a pub somewhere unable to even get to the bar!!

Of course this is all hypothetical anyway...