UEFA and government to examine security
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - UEFA and the government will set up a task
force to investigate security problems at European football matches
to avoid a repeat of the trouble at last month's Champions League
final between AC Milan and Liverpool.
UEFA president Michel Platini and Minister for Sport Richard Caborn
held a meeting on Tuesday during which UEFA submitted a report into
the trouble at European football's showpiece club occasion in
Athens on May 23.
"This not about laying blame, it's about how to stop this from
happening again and so we have decided to set up a special working
group, a task force, which will look at ways to achieve this,"
Caborn told Reuters in the presence of Platini.
Liverpool fans with forged tickets or those with no ticket forced
their way into the stadium for the match against AC Milan, while
dozens of fans with genuine tickets were refused entry.
When Liverpool fans tried to enter the stadium, the situation
threatened to escalate out of control and Greek police fired tear
gas and used batons.
Although the exact remit and brief of the committee, which includes
representatives from other European countries, has yet to be
decided, sources said it was expected to focus on stadium criteria
and security -- both inside and outside the ground.
"Stadium criteria such as the location and capacity along with
issues such the facilities for supporters outside the ground,
transportation and access will be looked at," said a source.
