UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin admits “not everything was perfect” for Manchester City and Inter Milan fans at the Champions League final in Istanbul.

City supporters reported issues with transport to the Ataturk Stadium, on the outskirts of Istanbul, prior to their team’s treble-clinching 1-0 win against Inter.

There were also complaints about a lack of toilets and limited access to water at the showpiece final on June 10.

Football Supporters Europe is gathering fan accounts from Istanbul in order to compile a report to present to UEFA.

Ceferin, speaking at the European Football Fans Congress in Manchester on Thursday, insisted this year’s final “proved UEFA had learned from past mistakes.”

But he added: “We’re well aware that in Istanbul not everything was perfect and I’m certainly not playing down the problems encountered by some.

“But let us continue working together to improve what we can improve. I’m thinking in particular of transport links, to better understanding the hosting of disabled supporters and access to water and toilets for everyone.

“I can assure you that next year’s Champions League final at Wembley and Euro 2024 in Germany will be a unique experience for fans.”

Ceferin also referenced the serious issues endured by Liverpool fans at the 2022 Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris.

Crushing outside the Stade de France sparked an independent report into the chaos, which found UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for what almost became “a mass fatality catastrophe.”

“Given what some of you experience recently, I would understand if I got a cold reception,” Ceferin said.

“I also came here to say sorry. We would love to erase events that happened last year. Everyone welcomed the decision to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris and we know what happened.

“Good intentions are often not enough, we know that and we are sorry for that.”

Manchester City are losing their treble-winning captain.

Ilkay Gundogan will join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of June after agreeing to a contract until 2025 with an option for an additional year, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

The midfielder, who was also linked with Arsenal, couldn’t agree to a new deal with Manchester City because he apparently wanted a contract that would run for at least two years.

Pep Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy wanted Gundogan to remain at the Etihad Stadium. “We’re fighting for him to stay,” the City manager said Monday.

Gundogan, 32, was already hugely popular with Manchester City fans due to his intelligent play in midfield and knack for scoring timely goals, but he cemented legendary status through his exploits toward the back end of the last two seasons. The German scored twice in a three-goal comeback win over Aston Villa to clinch the 2021-22 Premier League title on the final day, then he scored vital goals during the recent Premier League run-in and struck two volleys to down Manchester United in the FA Cup final earlier in June.

Gundogan’s 7-year gold rush:

“He can do everything,” Guardiola said of Gundogan in May. “He shows leadership every training session. Arriving on time, living the job 24 hours a day. He is a guy who handles the pressure really, really well.”

Gundogan joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for around £20 million. He was the first signing of the Guardiola era.

Maneuvering to sign Bernardo Silva could represent the Saudi Pro League’s most ambitious approach to date, but convincing the Manchester City star to leave Europe in his prime will be difficult.

The Portuguese midfielder is expected to consider offers that would see him leave the treble winners this summer, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also set to compete for his signature this summer, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

But, as Silva – who turns 29 in August – contemplates his next career move, he’s reportedly expected to reject an approach to play in Saudi Arabia.

PSG have tried the hardest to sign him so far, but Barcelona remain in the running after showing interest in him during previous transfer windows, Ornstein adds.

SPL clubs have made a number of high-profile advancements to attract superstars away from Europe.

Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have agreed to play at Al-Ittihad – the same club that’s also reportedly trying to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min. Silva’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr.