UEFA chief criticises Liverpool fans

Bates regains control of Leeds

Ranieri chooses the Old Lady

UEFA appear to get their retaliation in first as, prior to the publication of a report into the chaotic scenes at last month’s Champions League Final, director of communications William Gaillard brands Liverpool supporters as the worst in Europe.

“We know what happened in Athens; Liverpool fans were the cause of most of the trouble there. That was just the latest example. What other fans steal tickets from fellow fans or from the hands of children? There have been 25 incidents involving Liverpool fans away from home since 2003 and these are in the report. Most teams’ supporters do not cause any trouble at all.”

Angry Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry responds:

“What is most surprising about the latest comments from Mr Gaillard is that on the eve of the final, he quite rightly commented that Liverpool supporters ‘have a tradition of good behaviour’. Let’s not forget that these same supporters who Mr Gaillard is claiming are now the worst in Europe were praised by UEFA president Michel Platini after our semi-final victory against Chelsea only last month. They were commended for their behaviour in Istanbul in 2005 and actually honoured by UEFA at a gala dinner in Monte Carlo in 2001 as joint Supporters of the Years with Alaves after the UEFA Cup Final.”

Liverpool have sent their own report to UEFA highlighting their security concerns at the final. Many supporters with forged tickets or no tickets gained entry to a stadium which had no turnstiles and no ticket-counting facility. It meant that fans with legitimate tickets were denied access to the ground. Also, with Liverpool and AC Milan given only 17,000 tickets each, the recent viable example of setting up alternative means of watching the game via a big screen in the city centre was not followed when it is clear that the demand from tickets would exceed supply.

Following a re-count of creditors’ votes over the weekend, Ken Bates regains control of Leeds United. The former Chelsea chairman placed the Whites in administration with debts of £35million on 4 May. He required 75% of creditors’ votes to buy the club back, and the recount showed that 75.2% of creditors supported his plan to offer them just 1p in the pound of debts owed. Leeds must now seek the Football League’s approval, and may face a legal challenge in the courts. Some creditors are considering taking action, especially HM Revenue and Customs who were owed nearly £7million.

Manchester City’s hopes of appointing Claudio Ranieri as their new manager are dashed after the charismatic Italian takes over at Juventus. The 55-year-old replaces Didier Deschamps who resigned last week. City are in advanced discussions regarding a likely takeover by former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.