Spirit of Shankly release statement of frustration regarding Galatasaray fixture

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Liverpool’s match going fans are set to endure what their supporters’ union has branded “totally unacceptable” conditions when they travel to Istanbul for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Galatasaray at Rams Park.

The Spirit of Shankly organisation has released a damning statement criticising the arrangements imposed by Turkish authorities for the September 30 encounter.

The 2,500 travelling Liverpool supporters will be forced onto overcrowded buses without toilet facilities and must surrender everyday items including power banks, iPods and headphones, despite being issued with digital-only tickets that require charged devices for stadium entry.

Making matters worse, fans must depart for the stadium four-and-a-half hours before the 8pm kick-off, with an anticipated 90-minute hold-back period after the final whistle.

Spirit of Shankly revealed they have held repeated meetings with Liverpool FC to address these concerns, but their protests have been “ignored” by the relevant authorities.

In a lengthy statement, the supporters union wrote:

“Spirit of Shankly have met repeatedly with Liverpool FC to raise serious concerns about the conditions being imposed on supporters in Istanbul.

The club have pressed hard on our behalf, but have been ignored.”

“We remain deeply disappointed that, in 2025, fans are still being forced onto buses without toilets, told to surrender everyday items such as power banks, iPods and headphones despite digital-only tickets, and left without absolute clarity on medical exemptions for vital equipment such as inhalers or diabetic supplies.

Supporters are understandably concerned.”

“This is not unique to Liverpool fans.

Manchester United and Tottenham supporters faced similar restrictions in Istanbul, and we are being warned of potentially worse treatment for fans travelling to Marseille.”

“After the Paris final in 2022, UEFA commissioned an independent review that produced clear recommendations to ensure better treatment of supporters.”

“Yet what we are seeing here shows no lessons have been learned.

The time taken producing that report looks wasted when supporters continue to face systemic failings.”

“Supporters deserve better?

We intend to come together with other supporter organisations across Europe to push for meaningful change before these repeated failures lead to serious consequences for fans’ safety.”

“After this fixture, we will press for answers and accountability from UEFA, who cannot continue to ignore these failures.”

Meanwhile, there also pitch concerns developing around Galatasaray’s stadium Rams Park.

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