WILL WE BE SAFE?

Liverpool demand Rome summit to ease security fears

LIVERPOOL have requested a meeting with Roma, UEFA and the Italian police over safety fears for their fans who will travel to Italy next week.

This is unprecedented but Liverpool have serious concerns about the conditions that will greet the 5,000 supporters for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Those without tickets have been advised not to travel.

When the clubs were drawn together two weeks ago, Liverpool contacted the Italian authorities with a list of security issues but they have grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of concrete information that has been provided.

Fears over the safety of Liverpool fans have heightened after the unprovoked attack on Sean Cox, the 53-year-old Irishman who has been left in a medically induced coma. Mr Cox remains in a critical condition in Walton Neurological Hospital and two men from Rome have been charged in relation to the incident.

Liverpool want to know what plans are in place to shuttle their fans safely and securely to the stadium, what time supporters can arrive there and when the turnstiles will be open. Liverpool are prepared to fund any extra costs.

Rome has been a hotspot for football-related violence. Many clubs from Europe have stories of supporters being attacked by ‘ultras’ and Liverpool want to know which areas of the city should be avoided. Despite several meetings, club officials remain troubled by the lack of clarity. For that reason, they took the initiative yesterday, with a delegation heading to Rome to voice their fears. Liverpool usually post travel information on their website before European games but have so far been unable to.

A club statement said: ‘The club has taken the exceptional measure of requesting an extraordinary meeting in the Italian capital. We hope this 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 have history in Rome. There were knife attacks before a UEFA Cup last-16 match in February 2001 and again 10 months later when they were ppaired in the Champions League. ague.

The worst violence olence was after the European Cup up final in 1984 84 when Liverpool ol fans were ambushed.

Several more English clubs, including Manchester United, Tottenham, nea Chelsea and Middlesbrough, esalso have also been targeted during trips too Rome in recent seasons.