by Redman in wales » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:07 pm
Atletico - We will host Reds
Cerezo insists Reds tie will go ahead as planned
Last updated: 15th October 2008
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is confident next week's UEFA Champions League match with Liverpool will go ahead at the Vicente Calderon, despite the stadium ban imposed by Uefa.
The Spanish side were issued a three-match stadium ban, along with a fine of around £120,000, for incidents during their Champions League home clash with Marseille at the beginning of this month.
Those incidents included outbreaks of violence between Marseille fans and Spanish police after the latter removed a banner that featured a prohibited symbol, as well as accusations from Marseille officials and players that they had been racially abused by the Atletico fans.
Uefa have ruled Atletico's next two Champions League home matches - with a third suspended - cannot be played within 200 miles of Madrid.
The news has provoked outrage from Atletico and Liverpool officials with the game due to be played next Wednesday.
However, Cerezo is optimistic the game will not have to be moved and the tie will go ahead in Madrid after appealing Uefa's decision.
Appeal
"The Atleti-Liverpool game will be played at the Vicente Calderon," Cerezo told Marca.
"We will appeal. I have faith that Uefa will do the right thing. I hope they will listen to both sides evenly."
Meanwhile, Atletico have received support from local rivals Real Madrid over the stadium ban.
Real president Ramon Calderon believes Atletico are being unfairly punished for the behaviour of Marseille fans.
"It seems unfair to me. The police do not report to Atletico Madrid. Those that caused the problems were the Marseille fans," Calderon told Marca.
Real full-back Michel Salgado added: "You can't punish an entire fan base for the racist behaviour of a few people in the crowd.
"I think they've been too drastic in their decision. There's racism in every stadium due to a minority of the crowd. It has nothing to do with sport. This punishment sets a precedent.
"We'll have to wait to see what Uefa does whenever this happens again; if every stadium has to be shut down because of this, many games will be played behind closed doors."
Release
Marseille have voiced their approval for the sanctions imposed on Atletico by Uefa.
"Above all the decision is a release," said Marseille chairman Pape Diouf.
"It confirms what happened in the Vicente Calderon is inadmissible and unacceptable, both considering the organisation and racist behaviour we were victims of.
"Once again those sanctions show nothing happened normally on that day."
Coach Eric Gerets echoed his supremo's words: "It is fantastic news. It is a shame to be forced to give such harsh sanctions, but racism can't be present in a football stadium."
stinks to high heavan as far as im concerned.
More like they've realised that they can't realistically organise another venue in time, or more likely they're sh
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