Liverpool rage at UEFA decision

LIVERPOOL fans are fuming after UEFA left them with travel chaos and a huge dent in their wallets.

Atletico Madrid must play their next two Champions League home games at least 200 miles from Spain’s capital, starting with next Wednesday’s Reds tie.

Kop chief executive Rick Parry said: “It is very short notice. No consideration has been given to the fans, all of whom have already made their travel arrangements and many of them are going independently.”

Atletico have been punished after being found guilty of racism towards Marseille fans and players in their 2-1 win over the French a fortnight ago.

And Atletico’s appeal against the decision will not be heard until Sunday — little more than 24 hours before many Kop fans are due to travel to Spain.

The club have sold 2,500 tickets with around double that expected to travel.

Parry added: “It will cause major disruption, inconvenience and large additional expense for our fans.

“UEFA have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game.

“We have written to UEFA expressing our dismay. This decision has come completely out of the blue.

“I just don’t know how it will be resolved at the moment.”

Atletico have taken their case to the Spanish government and are using their FA’s lawyers to fight to stage the game at their Vicente Calderon Stadium with Valencia seen as a possible alternative venue.

But Liverpool have blasted the fact the decision has been left so late in the day and could ask UEFA to defer the punishment.

The Anfield giants only heard of the news late on Monday night.

A spokesman for fans’ group Spirit of Shankly said: “This is outrageous — this game was played two weeks ago and UEFA have waited until now to make a decision.

“It’s crazy to do this now when everyone’s travel plans have been booked.”

Atletico have also been fined £120,000 — UEFA’s heaviest-ever punishment for racism.

Black players were subjected to monkey chants throughout the game.

Coach Javier Aguirre received a two-game ban for insulting Marseille star Mathieu Valbuena.