England get go-ahead to play in Liechtenstein

England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Liechtenstein on Saturday will go ahead as planned, a Liechtenstein Football Association official…

England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Liechtenstein on Saturday will go ahead as planned, a Liechtenstein Football Association official said today.

The English FA also confirmed the game will be played.

The Liechtenstein FA and police were asked to provide UEFA with safety guarantees because of fears that the Group Seven match could be targeted by anti-war protesters.

"We are very happy the game is going ahead because there have been a lot of discussions in recent days," said Liechtenstein FA vice-president Fredi Hilti.

Liechtenstein's police force is only 70-strong and officers from neighbouring Switzerland and Austria were due to be called in to assist the local authorities at the game.

But protests over the war in Iraq could be held in both Alpine countries this weekend and the expected reinforcements therefore might not be available.

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