Atlético-Liverpool To Be Played In Madrid - Confirmed

by Fabregas04 Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:55 pm

UEFA have confirmed that Atlético Madrid's match against Liverpool midweek will go ahead at the Vicente Calderón as originally planned. However, the continental body have warned that the rojiblancos could still be in for later punishment.

A UEFA statement this afternoon concluded that the game will take place in the Spanish capital:

"UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Champions League match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC will take place as scheduled on 22nd October at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in Madrid."

Earlier this week it was announced that the game was to be played at a neutral venue hundreds of kilometres from Madrid after the Spanish club were found guilty of allowing disordely conduct and racist incidents to take place in their stadium.

However the rojiblancos have used their right of appeal, and Liverpool - while not objecting to the punishment per se - asked why their fans were essentially being given seven days' notice of a major upheaval in their travel plans.

As such, as Goal.com stated yesterday, UEFA have briefly backpedalled on their original decision.

However, that is not to say that the disciplinary matter has been forgotten entirely. The UEFA statement went on:

"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. The decision remains in force pending a full hearing of the appeal which will now take place on Friday 31st October 2008 at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

"UEFA is however keen to stress that safety and security matters, including efficient cooperation with the police, are of the utmost priority and that there is a zero tolerance policy for incidents concerning racism in football. The match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC will be under particular scrutiny and UEFA is ready to take immediate and further action if there are any reported incidents at this match."

As such the eyes of the continent will once again be on Spain next Wednesday night as both sides look to continue their 100% Champions League records on the pitch.