Pro Sports

Italian police to pay 'special attention' to Liverpool fans

Posted April 27, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Italian and British authorities attend a security briefing ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League match between Roma and Liverpool, at the Interior Ministry, in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Italian state police say "special attention" will be paid to the arrival and movements of 5,000 Liverpool supporters next week for the Champions League match against Roma following clashes at the first leg. (Italian Police via AP) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Italian state police said "special attention" will be paid to the arrival and movements of 5,000 Liverpool supporters next week for the Champions League match against Roma following clashes at the first leg.

After a security briefing between Italian and British authorities, the clubs and UEFA on Friday, Italian police said they were provided details of the flights and airports to be used by Liverpool fans "not only in the capital but also in other cities."

In England this week, two men from Rome were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an assault that left a Liverpool fan in critical condition.

"We condemn any and all forms of violence. The team, my staff and I have all been thinking about and praying for Sean Cox and his family," Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco said, referring to the fan in critical condition.

The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday at the Stadio Olimpico.

"My hope is that the second leg will be played in an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere: For football, and for sport in general," Di Francesco said. "This is my appeal to our supporters."

Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp hoped common sense prevails.

"When I first heard of (Cox's assault) I cannot describe my emotions in English," Klopp said. "It should never have happened, it should never have happened before, and it should not happen in the future, and we all have to do everything to make sure things like that will not happen anymore.

"I obviously don't have the solution for it, probably no one has that. It is easy to say: Behave like how you want to be treated yourself. If you are in the street you want to be safe, that's how it is."

Police also said they will provide visiting fans with "all of the relevant information" for arriving and departing the stadium, as well as "behavior rules" and pre-arranged meeting points.

"A positive and productive meeting has taken place in Rome today, with all those involved displaying intent for a collaborative approach and a commitment to making the event a great sporting occasion," Liverpool said in a statement.

Liverpool won the first leg of the semifinal 5-2.

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More AP Champions League coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/ChampionsLeague

AS Roma CEO Umberto Gandini, left, and General Director Mauro Baldissoni, right, leave the Interior Ministry headquarters in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Officials from Roma, Liverpool and UEFA met in Rome to discuss security concerns ahead of their Champions League return match next week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

ADDS NAME OF SECOND PERSON IN PHOTO - Kenny Scott, UEFA safety and security adviser, left, shakes hands with Massimo Passariello, vice-president of the National Observatory on Sport Events, as he leaves the Interior Ministry headquarters in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Officials from Roma, Liverpool and UEFA met in Rome to discuss security concerns ahead of their Champions League return match next week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

Kenny Scott, UEFA safety and security adviser, leaves the Interior Ministry headquarters in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Officials from Roma, Liverpool and UEFA met in Rome to discuss security concerns ahead of their Champions League return match next week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

Lee Lomax, football officer for Merseyside police, leaves the Interior Ministry headquarters in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Officials from Roma, Liverpool and UEFA met in Rome to discuss security concerns ahead of their Champions League return match next week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

Ged Poynton, Liverpool stadium manager and head of operations, left, leaves the Interior Ministry headquarters in Rome, Friday, April 27, 2018. Officials from Roma, Liverpool and UEFA met in Rome to discuss security concerns ahead of their Champions League return match next week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

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