Does anyone want to go to Moscow?

Who wants to go to Moscow then? It seems that the Russian capital isn't the most popular destination for a Champions League final and all and sundry have been falling over themselves to put the boot in.

Alan Green, the Radio Five Live commentator, has gone out of his way to tell people what an awful place Moscow is despite the fact he will have a prime seat at the Luzhniki Stadium and a very nice hotel. And will probably moan about that.

Martin Samuel, our esteemed Chief Football Correspondent, also suggested that Uefa's choice of match venue is overshadowed by "the threat of bureaucratic gridlock and chaos" while Uefa have also pleaded with fans without tickets not to travel.

All-in-all you'd think a trip to Moscow would be as pleasant for Chelsea and United fans as it was for Napoleon. And now the AA has added it's half-penneth by discouraging fans who missed out on air flights not to drive there either.

The UK’s biggest motoring organisation reckons that the cost of getting there and back would be more than £2,000 for two fans and would involve a minimum of 30 hours actual driving time, and could well be dangerous due to the high accident rates on Russian roads. One-way, Moscow is approximately 2,000 miles from Manchester and 1,800 miles from London, which, unless fans share the driving, would realistically take at least four days to cover.

Edmund King, the AA president, said: “Driving to Moscow may be tempting – but it could tempt fate as well, especially if you are poorly prepared. It’s not something that can be accomplished easily – attempting a mad dash to Moscow would, quite honestly, be madness.”

But unless you car runs on Zyr vodka, a budget of £330 for petrol seems a trifle excessive, whilst £480 for "overnight budget accomodation" and £400 for "sustenance" suggest AA members may have too much of a liking for five-star hotels and beluga caviar.

Still, there's probably one lunatic who'll try and get there by pogo stick.

Comments

[Garry Crush]

Mr S Blatter and his associates have made the right decision. Send two English clubs to Moscow and put the whole Russian nation to sleep. Napoleon couldn't do it, nor the Germans. By the way, what happened to the Germans?

[Vernon Goodhand]

What were UEFA thinking? Obviously not about convenience/pleasure/costs for the fans. Nor about the carbon footprint of the travel to one of their most far flung outposts. Could it be some Ruski petro-roubles found their way into bank accounts? We may never know as those accounts are likely near to the headquarters in Switzerland, where banking secrecy is the law.

[Colin]

If "sustenance" include paying off the traffic cops, who will go for a British car like bees to a honeypot, then the budget is not far off the mark

[Kevin Hennessy]

Bearing in mind I booked my tickets and flights yesterday should I have given this post a swerve? Come on you blues.

[Martin O'Hara]

I visited Moscow some months ago when England played Russia in this very stadium. I must agree with all those who dismiss this venue as ideal, it is quite honestly an appalling place for any football supporter. The accommodation is very poor, the welcome less than hospitable and the stadium antiquated. In all honestly it felt like traveling back in time 30 years!! It also felt like an endurance test and left a very poor impression in my mind, and to compound everything Moscow is a terrible tourist destination. What were UEFA thinking??