EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva announced the launch of an EU- UEFA information campaign and helpline to advise fans travelling to EURO 2008 on their consumer rights and to provide support for those who run into problems.

The campaign deals with consumer issues – from fake match tickets to transferring tickets in the case of illness, to air travel, roaming charges, EU health insurance and problems shopping abroad. An EU-UEFA online consumer leaflet setting out clear advice for fans travelling to the tournament is available at www.euro2008.com as well as on the European Commission website at www.supportersrights.eu.

A free phone consumers' rights helpline service will run – in all EU languages – throughout the tournament from June 1st 2008, managed by the Europe Direct Contact Centre.

Commissioner Kuneva said: "Our message is clear: as an EU citizen you have very strong consumer rights. Know them and use them! We want fans to have the best possible experience when they travel to Euro 2008 – and understanding their consumer rights will help them greatly. This campaign is about giving people practical consumer advice. So the leaflet sets out 10 things you should know before you go and the helpline is there to sort out problems for fans on the ground. Enjoy the tournament!

UEFA President, Michel Platini, said, “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.”

The helpline

The EU consumer helpline will be open for the entire month of June 2008, to answer any questions that fans might have on their consumer rights: from what they are entitled to if their flight is cancelled, to what they should do if a product they buy is faulty, to what medical cover they have. The helpline, which is provided with the support of the Europe Direct service, is free-phone[1] from all EU countries and will be available in all EU official languages.

The helpline will deal with consumer issues – like air passenger rights, shoppers' rights, mobile roaming charges and ticketing – as set out in the leaflet. Where questions are not related directly to consumer issues, the helpline will, where possible, provide alternative contact points for assistance.

Need more information?

The EU-UEFA campaign is being run with the support of the network of 27 European Consumer Centres (ECC Net). The network of ECC centres will provide advice to fans on consumer issues before they leave and provide additional support – contacting companies or following through on complaints – to fans once they get home.

While there are European Consumer Centres in countries such as Norway or Iceland, part of the EEA (European Economic Area) there is no ECC in Switzerland.

The European Consumer Centre in Austria will be at the frontline in helping fans and consumers attending fixtures there.

Consumers and fans in Austria can also contact the European Consumer Centre at its "hotline".

[1] * Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00800 numbers or may charge for these calls. In certain cases, these calls may be chargeable from telephone boxes or hotels