Stadium roof could close for Euro final

EUROPEAN football chiefs are discussing closing the Principality Stadium roof for the Champions League final.

The stadium roof is often closed for rugby matches during bad weather or to improve the atmosphere, but Uefa officials have cited potential security issues.

The draw for the semi-final of this year’s competition was held at Uefa headquarters in Nyon yesterday with four teams – Monaco, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid – competing for a place in the final in Cardiff on June 3.

It comes after Borussia Dortmund’s team bus was targeted by a bomb ahead of their quarter-final match against Monaco.

Speaking at the semi-final draw, Uefa’s deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti said security was the organisers’ “number-one priority” in the build-up to the event, expected to see close to 200,000 people arrive in the Welsh capital ahead of the clash.

He admitted that could see the roof closed as an extra security precaution, with a final decision to be made closer to the showpiece event.

Some have mentioned the closing of the roof would prevent any possibility of the game being targeted by drones, though Mr Marchetti insisted that the roof was only one aspect of security measures under discussion

He added that the roof could also be closed to preserve the playing surface in the event of poor weather.

Mr Marchetti told Welsh reporters in the light of recent events: “We always review security measures at all our events. We are obviously in constant contact with the local organising committee, the police and all the authorities.

Mr Marchetti praised the work of the FAW and its local partners as they prepare for the huge event – considered the biggest annual sporting event in the world but, asked specifically about the roof, he said: “This is one element of the security plan. This is definitely part of the assessment. No decision has been made so far.”

South Wales Police Superintendent Steve Furnham said: “Detailed safety and security planning for the Uefa Champions League Finals in Cardiff has been going ahead for many months. Measures will also be taken to restrict vehicle access to a number of areas within Cardiff.”