The Mayor of Seville insists there WILL be a fan zone for ticketless Rangers supporters to watch the Europa League Final as he declared the city ready for the fan invasion.
The Ibrox club promised to give their travelling legions an update today on whether an area would be set aside for punters without gold-dust briefs to watch the game on a big screen with UEFA urging fans not to travel unless they had a a ticket.
But, in an exclusive interview, Seville city chief Antonio Munoz has told Record Sport that there definitely will be a fan zone to cater for those who travel and they are finalising details.
The Spaniard admitted the situation is far from ideal with the 40,000-capacity Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium not big enough to cope with the demand from Gers and Eintracht Frankfurt fans.
But Munoz is confident that everything will run smoothly, pointing to big domestic derby games between Seville and Real Betis as well as Euro 2020 fixtures when they replaced Bilbao as a host city.
Seville will turn its famous Plaza de Espana into a giant party venue with two inflatable football pitches and a stage for bands to perform.
And asked by Record Sport if a fan zone will be in operation, he said: “Yes, that is how it is planned.
“Its location and operation will be communicated soon. We are aware that fans will travel without tickets. It is not the ideal situation, but we are going to work to give the appropriate response to those fans.
“We are aware and we are preparing a large area to be able to give the appropriate response.
“There is a coordination table that includes UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation, the City Council and the Delegation of the Government of Spain in which the Local Police and the National Police are present, which is analysing all the forecasts of both people who come with a ticket like those who travel without it.
“ Seville has already played host to major sporting, cultural or institutional events of national and international scope in recent years.
“Recently, the finals of the Copa del Rey or the European Championships have been held.
"We also have two clubs, such as Sevilla and Betis, with extensive experience in European competitions. The city is ready.”
Meanwhile, Seville tourist chiefs estimate Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt will generate a staggering £51 million to the Spanish city's economy this week ahead of the Europa League Final.
Every hotel room in the city and surrounding areas have long been booked solid and flights are sold out to Seville and nearby cities, even though fares were extortionate.
And Seville reckons the arrival of fans will mean a huge economic boost to the city of £51 million.
Manuel Cornax, president of the Association of Hoteliers of Seville and Province, said: "The information we have received suggests the economic impact of next week's final will mean around 60 million Euros for the city, taking into account accommodation and money spent in the bars and restaurants.”
