Rome’s Stadio Olimpico could lose the right to host the 2009 Champions League final if there is any violence at Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final between Roma and Manchester United.
The clubs will be meeting for the 3rd time in the Italian capital within the space of a year, and tension is high in the city following outbreaks of violence among rival fans during the previous two visits by United.
Several United fans were stabbed by armed gangs outside the stadium when the sides met earlier this season, while police were criticised 12 months ago for their heavy-handed treatment of the visiting supporters.
There were also incidents at Roma’s knockout round game with Real Madrid last month.
“If tomorrow at Roma-Manchester United, incidents are proved to have happened outside the stadium which are like those at the match with Real – with people stabbed – we would have to reconsider the decision to assign the 2009 Champions League final to Rome,” UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told Italian radio, according to ANSA news service.
