Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is warning football fans hoping to see away games in this year’s Champions League to check that their passports are valid.
The footballer has been “signed” by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to warn those planning to see their teams over the coming months at stadia across Europe to double check their passports; while those applying for their first ever passport should give themselves plenty of time.
Jamie Carragher said: “The Champions League is one of the great sporting competitions in the world. It’s important that our fans share in that experience and those travelling to watch the game must make sure they have an up-to-date passport so they don’t end up missing out on a great night of European football.”
Fans who are 16 or over who have never had their own passport need to take extra care to apply in good time as new security checks, including face-to-face interviews, mean their application could take up to six weeks.
Last season saw around 165,000 football fans travel overseas in support of their teams, with research showing that Liverpool fans clocked up 7,197 miles on route to the final, with semi-finalists Manchester United totalling 4,265 miles and Arsenal fans travelled 3,890 miles (including trips to Croatia and Russia).
Bernard Herdan, IPS executive director, said: “For first-time passport customers, the application process now takes up to six weeks. If you do not have a valid passport you won’t be able to travel, and the last thing we want is for fans to miss out on one of the big European games of the season.
“All supporters hoping to travel to away Champions League fixtures should check that their passports are fully up-to-date and ensure they leave enough time to apply for new documents before travelling.”
