Wednesday October 15, 2008 13:55

UEFA Create Havoc For Liverpool Fans

Posted by The Soccer Blogger as Champions League

Uefa never ceases to amaze me. They are truly masters of the “absolutely unbelievable”.

Let me get one thing straight first. I totally applaud and agree with their stance that hatred, such as racism, and in deed all forms of abuse should be eradicated from the game. They shouldn’t exist in any form of society full stop. If Atletico Madrid are guilty of the charges brought against them, then fine, yes they should be punished and held accountable. The salient point there is that they, Atletico Madrid, should be the ones being punished. And that’s great, all fine and dandy. But why the hell do others, innocent parties, also have to be punished by Uefa too? Liverpool and their travelling fans are the innocents in question.

The Vicente Calderon Stadium home of Atletico Madrid

Uefa, and in particular Michel Platini, do not hide their dislike of anything English, especially Liverpool. So in a way it has come as no surprise that they have waited until just a week before Liverpool are due to travel to Madrid to announce that Atletico Madrid are to be banned from playing at their home ground, Vicente Caulderon, and will have to play their game against Liverpool at least 200 miles away from Madrid. Is it just me, or are they just having a laugh?! What an absolute shower! They are quite frankly nothing more than a complete laughing stock as far as I’m concerned. I have been on the wrong end of their “organisational skills” and dislike of English clubs and believe me it wasn’t pretty, so this decision is just par for the course.

Yes, Atletico should be fined [£120,000] and banning them from playing in their own ground again, is probably a good decision, but surely, to announce it and bring it into force only one week before their next game, when all the arrangements have been made, money paid, hotel rooms reserved etc, is just a cruel joke. It makes you wonder, if Atletico Madrid were playing a team from another country, would Uefa have brought the ban into effect now? Would they have given everyone plenty of time to prepare?

Or why couldn’t they just play the game and not a allow any home supporters in, just the 3,000 Liverpool fans? They will have to travel with their passports, why not only let those people who show their passport together with their Liverpool away ticket into the ground? Surely even Uefa could organise that? Ok, as an away fan you want the atmosphere, a full stadium but wouldn’t that way still punish Atletico and not totally inconvenience the innoncent club and their fans? Surely Uefa must have thought of that, but no, let’s kill two birds with one stone, shall we? Ha ha!

UEFA have of course tried to defend their fidiculous decision, saying there was “no alternative”, and have pledged to minimise problems for the 3,000 Liverpool fans who have already finalised their travel arrangements.

As I mentioned, under this Uefa ruling, the match cannot take place within about 200 miles of Madrid. Fortunately Atletico Madrid have until the weekend to launch an appeal. Let’s hope they do and Uefa finally see sense.

Good old William Gaillard, the Uefa spokesman tried to explain the decision by saying, “We are in touch with Liverpool because we are concerned about the fans. [Yeah right!] We know they face hardship and disruption [I bet you do!] and we sympathise with that. [Don't make me laugh]

“But we needed to punish Atletico Madrid. We have no alternative. [Yes you do] What would people have said if Liverpool went there and the players and fans suffered the same treatment?”

Rick Parry, the Liverpool Chief Executive remarked, “To say the decision is a bit late in the day is to put it mildly. We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements. UEFA have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game.”

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for the home and away ties against Liverpool for insulting Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena. I don’t know whether you saw the incident. Quite pathetic really for a grown man. Like a 5 year old in a shcool payground.

Anway, Liverpool’s former Atletico striker Fernando Torres, who must have been so looking forward to this game in particular, said whilst with the Spanish squad, “After waiting so long for this game, this is the worst possible news.”

Also the Liverpool Supporters’ Union known as The Spirit Of Shankly, is quoted as saying, “We applaud their [Uefa's] efforts in punishing any side for racist abuse. But Uefa have created more problems than they have solved.” Ain’t that the truth! I wouldn’t trust Uefa to run a bath properly!

I feel better for that rant, good to get it off my chest!

Cheers

Rik
The Soccer Blogger

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