AZERBAIJAN football chiefs have bizarrely pinned the blame for swaths of empty seats at the Europa League final on Frankfurt fans.
The country's FA claim supporters of the Bundesliga side, who faced Chelsea in the semi-finals, "just decided to keep" their tickets.
Azerbaijan FA have defended the Europa League final's attendance and blamed Frankfurt fans for empty seats at the Baku arenaCredit: PA:Press Association
Thousands of empty seats were spotted at the Olympic Stadium in Baku as the Blues battered Arsenal 4-1 in the Euro final.
An official attendance of 51,370 was recorded on Wednesday night – some 10,000 short of the maximum capacity for the game.
And Azerbaijan FA general secretary Elkhan Mammadov claims Frankfurt fans are to blame for the underwhelming attendance.
German fans were able to purchase tickets from the first batch released around the Europa League quarter-finals in March.
Frankfurt fans presumably bought tickets before their semi-final exit on penalties to Chelsea.
Mammadov also insists that the event was a success despite rows and rows of green seats at the arena.
He told the Mail: "We are very positive about the number of foreign tourists not only from London but international supporters of Arsenal and Chelsea travelling to Baku.
"The majority of empty seats were Frankfurt fans who purchased the tickets earlier but did not make the final.
"I think they just decided to keep the ticket. Maybe they just decided not to return them to UEFA.
"We are not at all disappointed that it wasn't sold out."
Uefa faced fierce criticism for awarding Baku the Euro final due to logistical issues for travelling fans and Henrikh Mkhitaryan's absence.
The Armenia international decided to stay at home fearing for his safety in Azerbaijan amid political tension between his nation and the host country.
But Mammadov claims that some 30,000 foreign fans enjoyed their time in Baku – even though Gunners supporters wearing Mkhitaryan shirts were stopped by police.
He also added that the Azerbaijan FA received "no negative reports" following the Europa League finale.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9187372/azerbaijan-frankfurt-fans-empty-seats-europa-league-final/