UEFA - Governing Body or a Laughing Stock?

Once again UEFA excel themselves in their conduct and decision making. How many times do people have to act surprised at any decision they reach, or any statement they make, before it becomes expected? I'm slowly falling into the latter category, as nothing the men that govern European football come out with staggers me any more. I'm almost becoming immune to it; only I still can't help but shake my head in disbelief at the latest fiasco surrounding the "punishment" of Athletico Madrid.

During the Marseille game, the Spanish police clashed with Marseille fans over the unveiling of a banner, with a supposed banned logo / image. There were ugly scenes beamed out all over Europe of fans clashing with the over aggressive police in the away section. There were also reports of racist chanting from the home support during periods of the game. So how do UEFA react to that?

The answer is they wait two weeks, until just eight days before the Athletico Madrid v Liverpool fixture, and announce that Athletico Madrid will have to play their next three games behind closed doors, and a minimum of 300km from Madrid. Just who sat around a table and took two weeks to come to that decision? Some conspiracy theorists insist it's all Platini's doing as yet another way of getting at Liverpool and their fans; as he hasn't yet forgiven us for what happened at Heysel, when he was captain of that successful Juventus side. His big day in the limelight overshadowed by actions off the field. I'm not sure I buy into that in full; although I do think he has some resentment towards our club, and English football in general, but not enough to explain the continuous cock ups of his organisation.

It's the inconsistent way in which these incidents are dealt with that I have issue. Eastern European sides openly racially abusing players during UEFA fixtures and International fixtures, and dealt with afterwards in the form of a £20,000 fine or thereabouts. So why the sudden difference in treatment for Athletico Madrid? Why wait two weeks after the fixture to come to a decision and leave it so close to the Liverpool game? Because they do not have any consideration for the real fan. That's why. We never even crossed their minds when making that decision, and you can bet your life on that.

When the semi finals of last years Champions League consisted of 3 English sides, and a very strong chance of their being an all-English final, UEFA were approached with the possibility of moving the final from Moscow to Wembley, or another more accessible stadium. There were issues with visas that hadn't been resolved, as well as a history of aggressive policing in Moscow to contend with. UEFA dismissed those pleas, with one of the reasons to not having enough time to ensure the infrastructure and policing for the new ground and city was in place, to ensure the safety of the fans. Anyone that went to Athens in 2007 will tell you that infrastructure, stadium suitability, crowd control and safety are bottom of UEFA's list of priorities when it comes to ground selection. The number of 5 star hotels and quality of the hospitality facilities sits a lot higher up that list.

So despite the semi finals being played almost a month before the final in Moscow, it was not enough time to prepare a new city and stadium for traveling fans for a one off game? Yet they are now stating that next week's game between Althetico Madrid and Liverpool can be played in Valencia or Seville, and all arrangements can be made at that short a notice? What's changed? The fact that UEFA's big wigs had all their hotels booked in Moscow, as well as arrangements for entertaining their thousands of sponsors, meaning they couldn't switch locations at late notice? Or was it really that they were concerned for the safety and welfare of the fans? I'll let you decide. There's no sponsors to entertain in Madrid next week, and Platini and co will not be in attendance. Is it any wonder they don't see a problem in moving the game over 200 miles away? Not so concerned for our safety and welfare on this occasion are they?

So if UEFA are going to clampdown on racism, do it properly, and consistently. Not just when it suits yourselves and inconveniences others that seemingly do not matter.

Not only Liverpool fanse ar being inconvenienced with the change of location, but the innocent Athletico fans that witnessed their local police beat the away fans which they could do nothing about, and now face not being able to watch their team's next three home games for an offense other sides have received nothing but a meaningless fine for.

Or if the punishment on Athletico Madrid was due mainly to the behaviour of the Spanish police, why move the game to another area of Spain and have the same police force policing that rearranged game? It makes no sense. But not much coming from the mouth of UEFA does anymore.

Althetico Madrid have until Friday to appeal, and will be doing so. There is very little chance of that appeal being heard and answered on the same day, so fans of Athletico and Liverpool will have to wait until Sunday afternoon or the Monday at the earliest to find out where the game will be played; leaving them a matter of days to arrange transport to the new venue, if the game goes ahead at all. Never mind that a lot of fans already have flights booked into Madrid and surrounding areas on the Sunday and Monday. When will they find out where the game is to be played? When they land in Madrid?

If being informed at such late notice, they may not have enough time to cancel hotels already booked, and face being charged for them regardless, as well as having to fund new accommodation in whatever city UEFA decide to move the game to. Any of this being considered by our governing body? No chance. Never mind the cost of travel from Madrid to the new destination, or those that have flights booked from Madrid back home on the Wednesday night or Thursday morning, giving them no chance of making those flights if attending the game.

The disregard shown for us mere cannon fodder is laughable. Only I'm no longer laughing.

Comments

[chris]

"Anyone that went to Athens in 2007 will tell you that infrastructure, stadium suitability, crowd control and safety are bottom of UEFA's list of priorities when it comes to ground selection."

Of course that had nothing to do with Liverpool fans robbing tickets from their own fans, storming the gates, getting hold of a load of fakes and jibbing in - damn those folk at UEFA!

[Sean]

I can only assume that "Alan" isn't an Everton fan from Liverpool, no homebread Blue would be so idiotic and small minded.......

[Terry Langley]

Alan @ 01:20 PM

Oh dear...You appear to be lost! This article concerns supporters of clubs in the Champions League.

As you have already stated..you support Everton!!

You might be in Europe next year....If there's a war!!

[grindles]

no surprise: platini has to be the worst offender. it's only racism if it's directed against the french national team. get out, platini, leave someone sensible to do the job (but NOT blatter, he is utterly incompetent).

[M Caamano]

Racists chants have, unfortunately, not been uncommon in Spanish stadia. However, I believe there were no racist chants in this game. The Athetico fans were singing 'Kun, Kun, Kun' for their star Argentinian stiker Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero del Castillo. I feel this is an important point to clear up, lest Spanish football is denied an opportunity to clear up it's act and it's reputation.

[Alan]

Well, as an Evertonian they deserve all they get! they are probably the worst behavied fans in Europe dont forget and they have blood on their hands. Maybe people have short memories or this victim culture suits them. Lets face it LFC fans are probably the most hated in the Premiership with EFC, CFC, MUFC and Arsenal fans all haveing a major dislike to these people, I dont care if they all lose their money, infact I would be happy! Nil Satis Nisi optimum

[Ringo]

Who are this Athletico you speak of?

[carbine]

Actually I have just issued a claim against UEFA in the small claims court. I have absolutely no doubt that they will not even bother to acknowledge it so I will get judgement by default. However, if say a thousand or two thousand fans did the same and the arrogant Platini ignored it, then they really would be in the cack and risking the chance of having bailiffs sent in or even being put into administration!! Should shup up old blabbermouth Blatter as well.

[neil]

when i first saw the title on the front page
"Liverpool fans: Uefa's Cannon Fodder, again"
i though here we are another fella making us look like where whinging.
but not at all, a balanced piece talking in general about the arrogant, selfish muppets that head up UEFA.

i have also never really bought the conspiracy around platini myself (though it is possible) after all he isn't the sole decision maker its a committee.
UEFA decision making process can only be described as random and scattergun.

Their punishments are never balanced, delivered within a particular timescale or definitive, as many get successfully appealed against (though i personally believe this will be correctly not reversed but delayed) as their word is often not final

what doesn't help is when groups like SOS come out with statements like "atletico Madrid aren't being punished we are" to many neutrals this could easily be seen as pious and self righteous. i can understand what they are getting at but its badly put. after all this is the heaviest fine UEFA have dished out for a long long time - and the heaviest fine so far (i think don't quote me).

The reaction which i have personally received and read is along the lines of is "hard luck its wrong but others have after all been affected because your (our) actions"