Earlier today, 15 May, Spirit of Shankly representatives sat down with LFC officials to raise many of the issues facing supporters ahead of the Champions League final in Kyiv.

Supporters have many frustrations with reference to the final, and SOS’s intention is to gather as much information as we can, find solutions to problems and ensure lessons are learned for the future.

A club of LFC’s standing expect success on the pitch and that means being prepared off it. As supporters, we are ready to help the club do that.

Below is a short summary of the meeting:

Many are angry at the lack of availability and exorbitant price. The club said there would be further day trips announced via Thomas Cook. These will be limited, due to the lack of available air slots into and out of Kyiv. It is understood there will be no further slots for day trips to Kyiv after these flights.

The club said costs were in line with what they are being charged for chartering aircraft. They said they have been working 24/7 on this, even before we progressed to the final, and would continue to look at options and do all they can to ensure those with tickets can get to Kyiv. It is expected that due to these issues and limitations, prices would be higher than currently advertised.

The club said they would address the difficulties supporters were experiencing with officials in further meetings they have planned.

Following recent attacks in Kyiv, we asked the club to ensure this is addressed in pre-final discussions with authorities and that information be fed back to supporters.

We asked the club to assist in signposting safe and official money-changing points, to prevent fans being ripped off. The club will raise this with city officials.

The club have a team of staff in Kyiv and have produced a report that will be circulated in the coming days. Specifically, we asked for assurances that disabled supporters have accessibility and that the club to speak directly with fans so they too can enjoy Kyiv properly. The club also hope to have an update on facilities at the airport for those on day trips.

SOS also pressed home the financial burden on fans, given the cost of getting to the final and the pending season-ticket renewal deadline on 22 May. The club told us they will not extend the deadline, but have an initiative in place and will inform those directly affected shortly.

We look forward to further information from LFC, so that we the fans can finally concentrate on our task of backing the team on the pitch.

With the final less than two weeks away, it isn’t possible for fans to be part of ongoing meetings, but the club have said they will look at ways to work with us on these issues in future seasons.