Euro 2008 hotline launched

Last Modified: 15 May 2008
Source: PA News

Uefa and the European Commission have joined forces to urge football fans to know their rights when travelling to Euro 2008 next month.

A free telephone helpline will run throughout the tournament offering supporters advice on their consumer rights if they run into trouble with anything from fake match tickets to air travel, health insurance or even problems shopping.

The European Football Championship is taking place in Austria and Switzerland for three weeks from June 7, and all fans following the games - including an estimated 40,000 from the UK - will be given leaflets explaining in detail their consumer rights and urging them to use the special tournament helpline number if in doubt.

"We want fans to have the best possible experience when they travel to Euro 2008," said EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

"Understanding their consumer rights will help them greatly. This campaign is about giving people practical advice, and the leaflet sets out the things they should know before they go and the helpline is there to sort out problems for fans on the ground."

Uefa president Michel Platini commented: "I am delighted that Uefa and the European Commission have worked together to create this helpline and produce this guide. This initiative will help fans from all countries to enjoy their stay in Austria and Switzerland."

Helpline workers will be on the end of the phone for the whole of June to take questions from fans about their rights if their flights are cancelled, what to do if they buy consumer goods that are faulty and what medical cover they can expect while abroad.

The lines will be open from 9am to 6.30pm continental time and, judging from a smaller but similar scheme run during Euro 2004, one of the most common questions will be: "Where's the stadium?"

There is just one snag this time - one of the tournament hosts, Austria, is an EU member, but Switzerland is not.

That means the EU hotline number - 00800 67891011 - will not work from Switzerland, instead fans can get the same service calling 00322 2999696. However, the calls from Switzerland will attract normal international call rates.

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