UEFA temporarily lift Atletico Madrid stadium ban
Appeal hearing set for October 31 in Nyon
UEFA has temporarily lifted Atletico Madrid's two-match home stadium ban for the Champions League match against Liverpool next week, European soccer's governing body said yesterday.
UEFA had punished the Primera Liga team on Tuesday after crowd problems marred their match against Olympique Marseille at the Calderon on October 1. The club appealed the decision.
"It should be emphasised that suspension of the sanctions does not mean that the decision of the Control and Disciplinary Body has been set aside," said a UEFA statement.
"The decision remains in force pending a full hearing of the appeal which will now take place on Oct. 31 at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland."
The Spanish club said: "UEFA's appeals committee, after their meeting on October 16, have agreed to temporarily suspend the punishment as requested by Atletico Madrid.
"As a result the Champions League match scheduled for Oct. 22 against Liverpool will be played in the Vicente Calderon, and Atletico coach Javier Aguirre will be able to take his place on the bench."
Liverpool, who were upset with the timing of UEFA's ban given that many of their fans had already made travel arrangements, reacted favourably to yesterday's announcement.
"We're delighted at the decision because it means our fans can travel to the game as previously planned without additional expense or inconvenience," the English Premier League club's chief executive Rick Parry said.
"Liverpool are grateful for the help the FA have provided and pleased UEFA have listened to and acted on the arguments we put forward this week," he told www.liverpoolfc.tv.
UEFA had ordered Atletico Madrid to play their next two Champions League home matches at least 300 km from the Spanish capital following the problems against Marseille.
It added the punishment could be extended to a third home match should there be further trouble at the Vicente Calderon within a five-year probationary period.
Atletico were also fined €150,000 ($202,100) and Aguirre was banned from carrying out his functions for their next two Champions League fixtures in Group D.