Atletico’s two-match home ban lifted temporarily

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MADRID: UEFA have temporarily lifted Atletico Madrid’s two-match home stadium ban for the Champions League match against Liverpool next week, European soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
UEFA had punished the Pri mera Liga team on Tuesday after crowd problems marred their match against Marseille at the Calderon on Oct 1.
The club appealed the decision.
“It should be emphasised that suspension of the sanctions does not mean that the decision of the control and disciplinary body has been set aside,” said a UEFA statement.
“The decision remains in force pending a full hearing of the appeal which will now take place on Oct 31 at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.”
The Spanish club said on their website (
www.clubatleticodemadrid.com): “UEFA’s appeals committee, after their meeting on Oct 16, have agreed to temporarily suspend the punishment as requested by Atletico Madrid.
“As a result, the Champions League match scheduled for Oct 22 against Liverpool will be played in the Vicente Calderon, and Atletico coach Javier Aguirre will be able to take his place on the bench.”
Liverpool, who were upset with the timing of UEFA’s ban given that many of their fans had already made travel arrangements, reacted favourably to Thursday’s announcement.
“We’re delighted at the decision because it means our fans can travel to the game as previously planned without additional expense or inconvenience,” the English Premier League club’s chief executive Rick Parry said.
“Liverpool are grateful for the help the FA have provided and pleased UEFA have listened to and acted on the arguments we put forward this week,” he told