Milan-Celtic 2nd leg set for neutral venue?
UEFA have claimed AC Milan could stage the home leg of their
Champions League clash with Celtic in France or Switzerland.
Last week's violent scenes at the Serie A Sicilian derby, where a
policeman died, could have the short-term effect of closing several
Italian stadiums, including the San Siro in Milan, to
supporters.
The second leg of the last-16 clash between Celtic and Milan is
scheduled for March 7, however the hopes of supporters from either
club being allowed to attend in the Italian city are in danger of
being dashed.
Both AC Milan and Inter, who also play at the San Siro, could play
the remainder of this season's home league games behind closed
doors should the government stand by their proposal on safety in
stadia.
The lack of supporters could have a crippling financial impact, but
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: 'If the authorities
confirm their decision is final, we will have to play behind closed
doors.'
However UEFA spokesman William Gaillard revealed Milan are keen to
switch the second-leg match against Celtic to a neutral
venue.
He told Sky Sports News: 'We want to know in particular what
measures will apply to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) and
we're ready to consider all hypotheses.
'We know Milan would rather play on neutral ground in France or
Switzerland than play behind closed doors in Milan.'
Gaillard stressed that Milan's home ground was far better set up to
accommodate supporters than Catania's Angelo Massimino stadium,
where troubled flared last week during and after the derby against
Palermo.
He also expressed a belief, one which was contradicted by Milan
officials, that stadium officials could make minor improvements in
the next weeks in order to meet the demands of the Italian
government.
UEFA are determined to resolve the issue of where such an important
match will be played, to avoid four weeks of uncertainty for the
clubs and supporters, who run the risk of booking expensive trips
and finding their access to the San Siro blocked, or the match
being played elsewhere.
'Since there is uncertainty for both clubs it is a little bit of a
difficult situation, but we feel we can find a solution that is
adequate and acceptable for both clubs,' said Gaillard.
Milan chief Galliani believes the required work at the San Siro
cannot be completed until the start of next season.
'They certainly will not be finished before October,' said
Galliani.
'The San Siro is one of the biggest stadia and the work will not be
finished before the end of the season.
'AC Milan and Inter have done everything possible, but there is
nothing we can do to speed up the process.'
It is understood that only five stadia in Serie A currently meet
the required standard - the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Artemio
Franchi in Siena, the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Renzo Barbera in
Palermo, Sampdoria's Luigi Ferraris and Messina's San
Filippo.
The Italian government will tomorrow announce details of the
security measures all football clubs in the country must
adopt.
Italian football commissioner Luca Prandelli has confirmed that
those rules implemented by the government will take effect
immediately and stadia which meet the safety guidelines in the
future will have their supporter bans lifted.
'The security problem is the number one priority,' said
Pancalli.
'Watching the football comes later. I obviously speak about safety
for everyone, from officers, to fans, executives, referees, coaches
and players.'
Celtic expect the picture to become clear tomorrow.
A statement from the club confirmed: 'The club has been in regular
contact with both AC Milan and UEFA, and we are awaiting final
confirmation with regards to our forthcoming match in Milan, which
we expect tomorrow.
'Clearly there is no benefit in speculating further at this
moment.
'We will inform our supporters as soon as we have definitive
information from the relevant authorities.'
