UEFA madness: The football team has to travel 220 meters by bus to reach the stadium

In the European Cup, traveling by bus to home matches is mandatory, and that's what the Bodo/Glimt players did: the journey took 30 seconds.

UEFA always raises eyebrows, as was the case with Norwegian champions FK Bodø/Glimt. As required in the Europa League, the professionals had to arrive in the team bus for the first leg against FC Porto. So the players met at 5:05pm in front of the regional administration headquarters and walked out 220 meters or 30 seconds later at the Aspemira Stadium – where they later celebrated a shock 3-2 victory.

“UEFA wants us to meet. That's why we're doing it this way,” team manager Trols Bjerke told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The European Football Association would like to ensure TV stations have the usual arrival images of team members getting off the bus. Bodø/Glimt players take it easy: “It's about a sense of community, coming together for the game. Defender Vildes Nielsen said: Maybe the bus thing is a bit silly, but this way we can make ourselves a little bit comfortable in 30 seconds. By the way, most players come to league matches on foot. (red)