Rome Could Lose 2009 Champions League Final

Rome is at risk of losing next year's Champions League final if there is violence at tomorrow night's quarter-final first leg between Roma and Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico.

There was trouble last April when United played Roma at the same stage of the Champions League, when police were accused of violent attacks on English supporters inside the stadium. There was also fighting among fans outside the ground when Roma hosted Real Madrid last month, and there was widespread rioting in the Italian capital after a Lazio fan, Gabriele Sandri, was killed by police at a highway rest stop in November.

"If there are more incidents like those that happened at the Roma-Real Madrid game we will have to reconsider the plan to have the 2009 final in Rome," Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said today. "It's not a problem connected to soccer by itself. It's a problem that regards the city. Many games in Rome are followed by incidents outside the stadium, incidents in the city and attacks on buses and fans knifed. There are groups of criminals, the same ones that attacked police stations after the death of Gabriele Sandri."

Italian police have conferred with their Manchester counterparts to develop a detailed security plan for the game, and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has issued a warning to the club's fans over the matter. "I have a lot of confidence in our fans," Spalletti said. "They have taken notice of the dangers that could come with bad behaviour. It would be good if they show the true valour of sport. I expect better behavior than we've seen until now."

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi also addressed the issue. "It was very serious that in the past people have gone home from Rome injured or knifed," De Rossi said. "I don't believe in making appeals. The important thing is that the fans go to the stadium only to support their team, not to cause violence."

United fans have been warned to avoid flashpoints where Roma's Ultra fans are likely to congregate, and not to travel by metro.