UEFA set to reverse Madrid ruling

Rafael Benitez: hoping match will be in Medrid after all

UEFA ARE expected to reverse the decision to switch next week's Champions League tie between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool to a neutral venue after coming under pressure from the Football Association in England and the Spanish government.

The FA has asked the European governing body to consider the impact on Liverpool fans, about 6,000 of whom are to travel to the Spanish capital next week.

Liverpool were not scheduled to be told the venue until Sunday but Atletico are confident the match will go ahead at their stadium.

The Spanish press was last night reporting the ban will be deferred until PSV Eindhoven's visit next month.

Atletico received a three-match stadium ban and €153,000 fine for racist abuse and crowd violence during Marseille's visit to Vicente Calderon on October 1st.

The Spanish government yesterday backed Atletico's appeal against a punishment which, though applauded by anti-racism groups, has angered Liverpool and the FA.

Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benitez, said it was unfair to punish his club's fans for the actions of Atletico. "We can understand why Uefa feel they have to act but in this case maybe it has come too late." - Guardian Service

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times