UEFA claimed they couldn’t cope with the “extraordinary demand”
A Rangers supporter has thanked defender Leon Balogun for ‘saving his life’ by bringing him water during the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
Due to a lack of fluids in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium, fans were left dehydrated in the blazing heat of Seville.
As reported by footballscotland, the Scottish side’s SLO revealed before kick-off that the club had been forced to contact officials over the supply of water amid the boiling conditions.
UEFA has since apologised to those affected by the lack of fluids, and insisted they couldn’t cope with the “extraordinary demand”.
I see UEFA have apologised for last night but we’ve all known for more than two weeks how hot it was going to be. Someone should be losing their job for such an oversight around water availability, not to mention thinking themselves lucky they don’t have a death on their watch.
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson) May 19, 2022
During the final, 33-year-old Balogun reportedly noticed that a number of fans were struggling in the heat and took some water over to them.
One Gers supporter thanked the Nigerian international for his gesture, suggesting that he and others ‘wouldn’t have survived’ without it.
He wrote: “Thanks to @LeonBalogun for bringing us fans water last night when it wasn’t your duty.
“Wouldn’t have survived the game if it wasn’t for you. @EuropaLeague have a look at yourselves.”
Thanks to @LeonBalogun for bringing us fans water last night when it wasn’t your duty. Wouldn’t have survived the game if it wasn’t for you. @EuropaLeague have a look at yourselves.
— jamie donaghy (@jamiefddonaghy) May 19, 2022
After a cagey first half in the final, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side grabbed the final’s opening goal in the 57th minute through Joe Aribo. The Rangers man made the most of a defensive error and calmly converted from close range.
However, Frankfurt hit back just 12 minutes later through Rafael Santos Borré, with the Colombian forward finding space in-between the Rangers defence.
Neither team was able to find a winner in normal time, which forced the game to extra-time. Both teams pushed for a winner, but it was evident that both sets of players were physically exhausted.
The clash went to penalties, with the spot-kicks taken in front of the Gers supporters. The shootout started well for Van Bronckhorst’s men, but former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey – who came on as a substitute in extra-time – missed his penalty, which gave Frankfurt goalscorer Santos Borré the chance to win the final with his spot-kick.
Balogun, who started on the bench, remained an unused substitute throughout the match.
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