UEFA Have Not Got The 'Balls' To Kick Out Roma!

Last updated : 13 December 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

UEFA have ... and have ALWAYS had ... double standards.

Yes they have come down firm on the minows of Dutch and Belgian football, but Spain and Italy are a law unto themselves.

Newcastle fans - and press reporters - suffered intimidation when the Magpies played Palermo last season.

Italian football is in crisis. Police and supporters have been murdered this season, but what have UEFA done about it?

Yes, they kicked out Feyenoord for minor crowd trouble, but that was Holland. Do sponsors care about Dutch football? The Champions League would not exist with the Italians ... or so those in 'high places' seem to think.

Five Manchester United fans were stabbed in clashes with Roma supporters before Wednesday night's final Champions League group match between the two sides, and it was guaranteed to happen.

Thankfully, none of the stab victims are understood to have serious injuries.

Officials also revealed six Britons were arrested after fighting broke out on the Pont Duca d'Aosta bridge which fans cross over the river to get to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The British Embassy in the Italian capital said four of the six detained were formally charged with obstructing police officers in their duty. Two others were released without charge.

Embassy staff said it appeared there were no further disturbances as fans left the stadium after the game which finished 1-1.

Sir Alex Ferguson: "This is something we hoped would not happen.

"We wanted a nice quiet night and to be able to go home with no incident. It is disappointing that has not happened.

"Obviously, we are not sure of the details but we hope the supporters concerned will be okay."

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti condemned the hooligans as "sick".

British Embassy staff had warned travelling fans beforehand not to use the Pont Duca d'Aosta bridge because it was habitually used by Roma's notorious Ultras - a following of hardcore fans.

Eighteen United fans needed hospital treatment in April after clashes on the terraces in Rome and outside the ground.

Italian police were accused by United club officials of handing out "indiscriminate beatings" as they charged United supporters with batons.