Rafa Benitez has criticised Uefa’s decision to change the venue for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and asked European football’s gioverning body to reconsider the switch.
Liverpool are due to meet Atletico next Wednesday, but the venue for the game has still to be decided after Uefa imposed a three-match stadium ban, along with a fine of around €150,000, on the Spanish side for incidents during their home clash with Marseille earlier this month.
Uefa have ruled Atletico’s next two Champions League home matches – with a third suspended – cannot be played within 200 miles of Madrid.
Atletico have confirmed they will appeal the decision and remain confident of overturning the ban.
Benitez has urged Uefa to have a rethink on the decision based on the number of Liverpool supporters intending to travel to the game.
“We know about the loyalty of our fans and we know about the incredible lengths they go to to support us,” Benitez told the club’s official website.
“They have an incredible passion for the club which means they follow us all over Europe at great expense to themselves and we always appreciate that.
“That is why we are so worried by this ruling. We can understand why Uefa feel they have to act but in this case maybe this time it has come too late.
“To change the venue of the game at such a late stage would cause massive problems to our fans and that is not fair.”
