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Page last updated at 16:04 GMT, Monday, 25 May 2009 17:04 UK

Rome puts alcohol limits on final

Italian police with the Champions League trophy
Italian officials plan to take no chances with the prestigious final

Local authorities in Rome have ordered alcohol restrictions in the city and on public transport to help curb trouble at Wednesday's Champions League final.

Manchester United take on Barcelona in the showpiece with more than 67,000 fans expected in the Italian capital.

The sale of alcohol in glass containers around the stadium will not be allowed from 1700 on Tuesday to 0600 Thursday.

Forged tickets are also a concern, as about 5,000 fans without tickets are likely to be in and around the city.

Police confirmed that they had confiscated a number of counterfeit tickets.

Rome prefect Giuseppe Pecoraro said: "There are no more tickets left to sell, hence, the tickets that are circulating are false."

The sale of any 'takeaway' alcohol is also banned in the zones around the stadium, while the restrictions also apply to all Rome metro and train stations, as well as the port of Civitavecchia.

"It will not be a militarised city," Pecoraro added.

"All the necessary measures have been taken in order to give the best possible image of this city."

Uefa president Michel Platini has urged fans to concentrate on the football between two of the world's most glamorous teams.

"This is going to be a wonderful match, and the whole world will be glued to this event, that is why it is important that everyone behaves themselves," said the Frenchman, who experienced one of football's worst disasters as a Juventus player when 39 fans were killed at the 1985 final against Liverpool at the Heysel Stadium, Belgium.

We are counting on the fans to have a good time and to behave

Uefa president Michel Platini

"Football must show itself in the best positive light.

"Uefa is at the service of the fans, as was the case last year with waiving the visas for Moscow and will be the case this year, as we have done everything possible to make sure that they can enjoy the atmosphere, the event and the celebration of football.

"We are therefore counting on the fans to have a good time and to behave. Enjoy Rome, enjoy the festivities and most of all enjoy the football."

Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno is determined to quash the threat of violence and said: "I have asked interior minister Roberto Maroni to have maximum attention from the security officers to avoid any incidents.

"Only several hundred of those fans that do not have a ticket are hooligans."

Alemanno also confirmed that there will be official meeting points for Barcelona and Manchester United fans.

"We have placed two meeting points for the fans," he said.

"One in Piazza Cipro for the Spaniards and the other one in Piazza delle Canestre for the English supporters."




see also
Uefa confident of safe Euro final
08 May 09 |  Europe
Road to Rome photos
25 May 09 |  Europe
Barca's Toure ready for 'decider'
25 May 09 |  Europe
Man Utd fans given Rome warning
20 May 09 |  Manchester
Warning to ticketless United fans
22 May 09 |  Manchester
Uefa rules out Euro final switch
12 Mar 09 |  Europe
Arsenal fan injured in bus ambush
12 Mar 09 |  London
Arsenal warn fans of safety fear
10 Mar 09 |  Europe
Supporters warned over Rome game
01 Apr 08 |  Manchester
Man United fans stabbed in Rome
12 Dec 07 |  Manchester
United fans at Roma match praised
02 Apr 08 |  Manchester
Rome police chief defends action
06 Apr 07 |  Europe
Ugly scenes on a night to forget
05 Apr 07 |  Europe
Rome mayor attacks Man Utd fears
04 Apr 07 |  Manchester
English fans are stabbed in Rome
15 Mar 06 |  Tees
Liverpool fans stabbed in Rome
06 Dec 01 |  England
Liverpool fan stabbed in Rome
15 Feb 01 |  Europe
Rome votes for right-wing mayor
28 Apr 08 |  Europe


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