Reds raise Roma fears
LIVERPOOL have requested an urgent meeting with Roma, UEFA and Italian police to clarify security arrangements for their fans next week.
Jurgen Klopp, right, and his team take a 5-2 lead to Rome on Wednesday as they bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2007, and the club have sent a delegation to the Italian capital to seek assurances following the violent scenes which marred the first leg at Anfield and left one fan in a critical
condition in hospital. The most pressing issue is whether police and the club will ensure safe routes from airports and the city centre for 5,000 Liverpool fans to get to Stadio Olimpico for the return leg of the semi-final tie.
Members of Roma’s Fedayn ultra group are understood to be responsible for the unprovoked attacks – with some fans seen carrying makeshift weapons – before kick-off at Anfield on Tuesday, one of which left Meath father and Liverpool fan Sean Cox, 53, in hospital with head injuries.
Two men from Rome have been charged in connection with the attack after visiting fans helped police identify the suspects, and were remanded in custody by South Sefton magistrates yesterday.
The long history of trouble for English clubs in the Italian capital, stretching back to Liverpool’s European Cup final in 1984 and including visits of Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Middlesbrough in recent seasons, has contributed to the raising tensions ahead of the match.
Today’s meeting comes with Reds’ officials having grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of concrete information forthcoming from Italian authorities in answer to a list of security issues.
Liverpool first raised their fears when the draw was made on April 13 and have worked with Roma and UEFA in pushing for answers. Despite several meetings and exhaustive correspondence, the club remain concerned by the lack of answers they have received about the operational plan for a match that is just five days away.
With 5,000 tickets sold to Liverpool supporters for the game in a stadium that holds over 72,000, the delegation will raise a number of concerns.
To the forefront are safe routes for fans to the ground, what time fans can arrive at the stadium and when turnstiles will open, what bags will be allowed in, and which areas of the city are to be avoided.
Liverpool have offered to meet any additional costs incurred in the provision of a shuttle service to the ground.
“Liverpool Football Club is continuing to do everything in its power to provide supporters travelling to Rome next week with the most comprehensive safety and security advice,” read a statement yesterday.
“We have sought clarity on a number of issues surrounding the match-day operation since the draw was made and are hoping this extraordinary meeting will provide the necessary reassurances and essential information.
“This, if provided, will allow the club to fully inform supporters of the measures that will be in place.”
Liverpool fans without tickets have been urged not to travel to Italy in accordance with usual procedure. Roma have also instructed Liverpool to print the name of each supporter attending on their official ticket.