Uefa apologises after Rangers fans left without water at Europa League final in Seville

Uefa have apologised after Rangers fans were left without water in 30-degree heat during Wednesday’s Europa League final in Seville.

The governing body has released a statement which said food and drink kiosks at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium could not meet the “extraordinary demand” from fans in attendance.

The statement read: “Even though the quantity of food and beverages planned by concessionaires was much bigger than what is usually served during a domestic sold-out match at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, it still was not enough to meet the extraordinary demand of the day and Uefa wishes to sincerely apologise to fans for the inconvenience created.”

Around 20,000 Rangers fans attended the final in the Spanish city, with many resorting to drinking water from taps in the toilets as the temperatures soared inside the stadium.

The Ibrox side lost the Europa League final after being defeated 5-4 on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt, after 90 minutes and extra time had failed to separate the sides in Seville.

Rangers vice-chairman John Bennett praised the club’s fans for their conduct in Seville, saying they brought “colour and positivity” to the Europa League final.

He said: “Our fans have come here and they have wowed people,” he said. “They’ve wowed people who have known the club, and wowed people who don’t know the club, perhaps more importantly.

“We’ve had feedback from the police, such feedback from the police, the local authorities of this city and at La Cartuja the stadium and they’ve all said the one thing: ‘Wow’.

“Overwhelmed and overwhelmingly positive by our fans’ atmosphere, our fans’ behaviour and this is for the fans.”