UEFA expect no violence at Champions League final

UEFA believe tougher ticketing rules and strict visa requirements should offset any potential flashpoints at the final in Moscow on May 21, no matter which clubs are involved.

"You can never be 100 per cent on this and it will be the same whether they are English, Spanish or Italian. But we are confident there won't be a repeat in Moscow," William Gaillard, special adviser to UEFA president Michel Platini, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"You will not get a visa without an official ticket, it will be as simple as that... and visa requirements will be strict. Fans will also have to stay overnight on the evening of the final and give the name of their accommodation before receiving a visa."

"We don't expect to see thousands of intoxicated ticketless supporters hanging around Red Square causing trouble," Gaillard added.

Liverpool fans with forged tickets or those with no ticket tried to force their way into Athens's Olympic Stadium, while dozens of fans with genuine tickets were refused entry.

When Liverpool fans tried to enter the stadium, the situation threatened to escalate out of control and Greek police fired tear gas and used batons, leading to nearly 100 arrests.

"We had a meeting about this four days ago and the Russians have put in place the most modern electronic turnstiles available," Gaillard said.

"But also our tickets are more sophisticated from a year previously, so forgeries will be very difficult to produce."

With Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal already through to the quarter-finals and Liverpool taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their last 16 tie with Inter this week, the chances of an all-English final have become greater.

"There are more tickets available to fans this year; 21,000 will go to the teams themselves instead of the 17,000 each last year," Gaillard said.

"But we will also be making sure that the clubs distribute the tickets in a proper manner and will come down heavy on the clubs if they fail in this obligation."

Gaillard also said he did not expect any repercussions for English fans should their teams reach the final on May 21 despite political tensions between London and Moscow.

"We expect English clubs to be treated the same as any club whether it be Italian or Spanish. They should be treated with respect," Gaillard said.

"We are constantly in talks with Moscow about the final and I am sure we will discuss such an event if and when it happens."

Relations between Britain and Russia have become strained since a former Russian agent, Alexander Litvinenko, was poisoned while living in London in exile. Moscow has refused to hand over the main suspect in the murder, Andrei Lugovoy, to face trial.