Uefa Lifts Madrid Champions League Ban

Following an outburst from Liverpool fans and an appeal by Atletico Madrid, UEFA has lifted the ban on the Champions League match to be played at Madrid’s home stadium.

The ban was instilled following the alleged racist treatment of Marseille fans during and after the game at Vicente Calderon Stadium on 1st October.

Atletico were fined a record 150,000 euros by UEFA who then called for the Madrid-Liverpool match on 22nd October to be moved to a neutral venue that is located at least 200 miles away from the Spanish capital.

Thousands of Liverpool fans who had already bought their tickets were outraged at the late notice of the location change. Claiming that the welfare of the English club’s supporters is its top priority, UEFA put the ban on hold so the match could go on at Vicente Calderon stadium.

‘We’re delighted at the decision because it means our fans can travel to the game as previously planned without additional expense or inconvenience,’ Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said.

Despite the lift of the ban, Madrid’s coach Javier Aguirre has been banned from communicating with his team during the Liverpool match as a result of allegedly abusing a Marseille player. He has also been barred from the sidelines, the tunnel, and the dressing room during the game as well.

Atletico has claimed that UEFA officials misheard the chants and hope that video evidence will show there was no racist abuse directed at any Marseille player.