At a time when there is such worry over where exactly European football is headed, it is grimly fitting that so many concerns converge at the venues where this season’s European finals are headed. The build-ups to the showpieces in Baku and Madrid have been soured by: controversy over fans being financially exploited; the worry these same fans just aren’t being listened to; and so many questions about the motivations behind the game’s biggest decisions.

It is lamentable that, at a time of what should be great excitement, supporters groups from all four clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - have felt the need to come together and issue joint statements castigating their “disgraceful” treatment. They have also called for a “fundamental overhaul” of how Uefa deals with fans, but that might not be all the governing body needs to look at.

There is the very criteria as to how these matches are awarded.

There are admittedly different issues with the two finals – that touch on separate arguments – but they are linked by one fact that provokes more questions. Baku actually felt it could bid for the 2019 Champions League final as well as this season’s Europa League final, with its Olympic Stadium the only venue put up against Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano.

Given the multiple problems Azerbaijan has already had hosting a mere Europa League final, it is mind-boggling to think how it could have staged the global mega-event the Champions League final has become.

Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Show all 50 1 /50 Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool fans hold up their scarves before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona epa07554368 Fans of Liverpool sing You'll never walk alone before the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 07 May 2019. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi before the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Referee Cuneyt Cakir talks to Liverpool's Andrew Robertson as Jordan Henderson and Barcelona's Lionel Messi look on REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi (R) is tackled by Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool celebrates as Divock Origi (R) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez reacts after conceding their first goal scored by Liverpool's Divock Origi Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Joel Matip and Barcelona's Luis Suarez both react after going down REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool beats Gerard Pique of Barcelona as it leads to their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Arturo Vidal of Barcelona is challenged by James Milner of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez reacts Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp speaks with a match official Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores his side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool (obscured) celebrates as he scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool scores the second goal and celebrates during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's Lionel Messi (left) reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and James Milner of Liverpool in discussion during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (R) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (C) celebrates with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (L) and Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images OLI SCARFF AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique react after conceding their third goal scored by Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (L) blocks a shot by Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane during the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images OLI SCARFF AFP/Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona epa07554429 Xherdan Shaqiri (L) of Liverpool and Arturo Vidal of Barcelona (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, 07 May 2019. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Divock Origi of Liverpool (27) celebrates as he scores his team's fourth goal with Xherdan Shaqiri and team mates during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring his side's 4th goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between Liverpool and FC Barcelona at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Xherdan Shaqiri and Trent Alexander-Arnold REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Divock Origi of Liverpool celebrates scoring the forth goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 General view of the scoreboard during the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Ernesto Valverde, Manager of Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool's Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble PHIL NOBLE REUTERS Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacts after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Clement Lenglet and Philippe Coutinho react after conceding their third goal scored by Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine CARL RECINE Action Images via Reuters Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde walks next to the bench during the Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between Liverpool and FC Barcelona at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (left), manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) and Virgil van Dijk celebrate after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (left), Georginio Wijnaldum (centre) and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. Peter Byrne PA Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Liverpool players sing the anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone" with the Liverpool fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (fourth right), Mohamed Salah (fifth right) and Virgil van Dijk (third right) celebrate after the final whistle Martin Rickett EMPICS Sport Liverpool vs Barcelona: The story of the game Liverpool vs Barcelona LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Liverpool players celebrate following their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. 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It is the size of that premier event that has caused the primary issue for Liverpool and Spurs fans because of the disgraceful prices of tickets, but the issues with Baku can’t even get that - at least for visiting fans. They go much deeper.

It’s not that the clubs’ supporters can’t get tickets, it’s that they can’t even get into the country, because the airport can’t handle it.

Uefa admitted this in a statement explaining why Arsenal and Chelsea would only get 6,000 tickets each, putting it down to Baku’s inability to handle more than 15,000 travelling passengers.

“Offering more tickets to fans of the participating teams, without any guarantee that they would be able to arrange suitable travel to reach Baku, was therefore not a responsible option,” a statement read.

That, frankly, is absurd for an event like this - especially when there are similar questions over whether the local population can even afford the prices. It is also ludicrous that a supporter’s rare opportunity to see their team in one of football’s showpieces matches can be dictated by the small size of an airport alone. That illustrates it’s just not fit for purpose.

Uefa’s statement mentions that “supporters requesting tickets for a Europa League final can vary greatly from club to club”, while “the venue has to be chosen around two years in advance”.

The Baku Olympic Stadium, where Arsenal will play Chelsea (UEFA)

Sources from the governing body state this rationale goes back to the 2015 final in Warsaw, where there was barely any take-up from supporters of Sevilla and Dnipro.

That’s understandable but the worst-case scenario shouldn’t be the baseline consideration. Especially not when Uefa themselves have it that eight Champions League clubs drop in to the competition, and that it then offers a route back to the Champions League. Hence six of the last eight finalists have among the most fervent travelling supporters groups in the world - in Liverpool, Manchester United, Ajax, Olympique Marseille and now Chelsea and Arsenal.

That, even going back two years, makes the selection of Baku all the more nonsensical.

For all the accusations about the motivation behind such choices, the body does creditably publish the Uefa Club Competition Finals 2019 Evaluation Report, for the purposes of transparency from when the bids were tendered.

Even this prompts questions.

The Europa League final takes place in Baku between Arsenal and Chelsea (AFP/Getty)

The “Mobility” section in Baku’s bid for the Europa League final reads: “Due to its geographical location, most foreign spectators would arrive in Baku by air, resulting in high demand for flights. Heydar Aliyev International Airport is the only international airport within easy reach of Baku. The in- and outbound airport capacity meets the requirements.”

Those must be minimal requirements.

The “Mobility” section in Baku’s bid for the Champions League final, meanwhile reads: “The in- and outbound airport capacity theoretically meets the requirements.”

Theoretically. It’s hard to see how that theory would have withstood the reality of the tens of thousands looking to make their way for such a huge event.

That alone demands more scrutiny over the criteria.

But that alone isn’t the only element of Baku that warrants scrutiny.

Beyond a venue that can’t cope with more than 15,000 visitors, has minimal direct flights from major European cities and is in a timezone that may see the final finish at close to 2am local time, there are even bigger concerns. There is first of all the controversy over Henrikh Mkhitaryan due to Azerbaijan’s ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia, and then the very nature of the government.

Ilham Aliyev is a president last year voted in for a fourth successive term in elections that Human Rights Watch say lacked competition and “took place in a restrictive political environment and under laws that curtail fundamental rights and freedoms”, and who has presided over a regime with an “appalling” human rights record. Azerbaijan have already so strategically tried to use sport to whitewash that regime, from sponsoring Atletico Madrid to hosting Formula One and the 2015 European Games. Hosting a prestige European final and Euro 2020 matches is only another part of that.

Azerbaijan has used sporting events to help improve its image (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp has described Baku’s staging of this showpiece as “irresponsible” due to the difficulty of travel, but that description could refer to other aspects of it.

There’s then the other moral argument over the needless carbon footprint of a final so far away.

So while it is probably too late to change the venue, it should prompt bigger questions for the future.

That is precisely what staging the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff did, if for much more mundane reasons.

Senior Uefa sources were adamant that all future hosts for their showpieces event would have to be much bigger cities, with far better infrastructures. Some were expressing this view as they stood in the packed bars of the Hilton Hotel, in the middle of a crammed city centre. Cardiff was so bursting at the seams that many supporters were forced to stay over 60 miles away.

Many Uefa sources just felt it was too small for such a huge event, and say it has influenced decision-making since.

This cuts to a core issue with much of this.

The Olympic Stadium in Baku hosts the Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea (EPA)

While Uefa’s aim to spread such finals - and thereby the game - around Europe is obviously noble and deserves backing, it shouldn’t overrule the comfortable and responsible hosting of these events.

The common complaint in these circumstances is that will mean it too often goes to the same few cities, but that is to look at it the wrong way around.

It should be logical - and paramount - that a global mega-event like a Champions League final should only be held in venues comfortably capable of hosting it.

Safety and convenience should trump all in that regard. A venue should not have to overly stretch itself. A city should be able to comfortably absorb a showpiece of this size. Anything else genuinely is irresponsible.

That is what the event has become. That is what the Europa League final, in years like this, can occasionally get close to. It warrants another serious look at the criteria.

The situation has improved since Uefa returned to competitive bids after years of awarding finals to favoured cities, but that can still be honed further.

As with Baku, if a city or airport can’t handle what would be the average foreign attendance from recent finals, then it shouldn’t be hosting it. It really is that simple. It is also why it is right the Super Cup gets shared around as recompense.

Some of those criteria are even failing supporters for Madrid, a city that clearly can comfortably host a Champions League final.

Uefa’s decision to host the Europa league final in Baku prompts questions about the bidding criteria (Getty)

Aside from the exploitative cost of tickets, the joint supporters’ statement complains of hotel rooms going for “over £1,000 a night” and “stories of room bookings being cancelled and resold at vastly inflated rates”.

This is despite Uefa’s evaluation report reading that “Madrid city council has guaranteed its best endeavours to ensure that hotel rates during the event would be fair”.

What constitutes best endeavours needs to be looked at.