Sport

Athletico ban temporarily lifted

08:15 am on 17 October 2008

European Football's governing body has temporarily lifted Atletico Madrid's two-match home stadium ban for the Champions League match against Liverpool next week.

UEFA had punished the Primera Liga side this week after crowd problems marred their match against Olympique Marseille at the Calderon earlier this month... the club appealed the decision.

UEFA had ordered Atletico Madrid to play their next two Champions League home matches at least 300 kilometres from the Spanish capital following the problems against Marseille.

They added the punishment could be extended to a third home match should there be further trouble at the Vicente Calderon within a five-year probationary period.

The short notice of the stadium closure had raised strong protests from both Atletico and Liverpool, with most fans having already made their travel plans for next week's encounter.