Romania police on high alert

Romanian police are gearing themselves up for what they expect to be an explosive UEFA Cup quarter-final between Rapid Bucharest and Steaua Bucharest, as the fierce rivals meet in the first leg on Thursday. "We plan to employ 1,000 policemen in and...

Romanian police are gearing themselves up for what they expect to be an explosive UEFA Cup quarter-final between Rapid Bucharest and Steaua Bucharest, as the fierce rivals meet in the first leg on Thursday.

"We plan to employ 1,000 policemen in and around Giulesti arena in order to prevent public order offences during the first leg match," a police statement said yesterday.

The decision came a day after the Romanian Soccer League banned Dinamo Bucharest fans from their own stadium for two matches due to violent clashes with police during a match in Constanta, when 50 fans were arrested and 19 fined.

While the authorities try to calm the situation, some fans are fanning the flames of hatred before the eagerly-awaited game.

"It will be a live-or-die contest," a contributor to one Rapid fans' website said.

"It is a perfect opportunity for revenge after 50 years of humiliation."

Rapid were seen as the main rival for the "communist" teams Steaua and Dinamo who were largely backed by authorities under Stalinist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime.

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