Blundering UEFA upset everyone

Uefa have upset both Atletico Madrid and Liverpool by insisting the Spaniards play the Champions League game at a neutral venue.

The European governing body have come down hard on Atletico after fining them £120,000 for racist abuse of Marseille players earlier this month and they have also been handed a three-match stadium ban after crowd trouble and lack of organisation at the match.

The main problem though is that Uefa have left it so late that the majority of Liverpool fans have already made their travel arrangements and booked accommodation for the game which has yet to be given a new venue.

"To say the decision is a bit late in the day, is to put it mildly," said chief executive Rick Parry.

"We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements."

Uefa's lack of consideration for the travelling Liverpool fans has been compounded by the fact the Madrid club have until Sunday to appeal the decision so the venue for the tie is unlikely to be known until just days before the match is due to take place.