SWITZERLAND: UEFA POSTPONE ALL THIS WEEK'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA CUP MATCHES IN MARK OF RESPECT FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN U.S.

Record ID: 647237

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: UEFA POSTPONE ALL THIS WEEK'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA CUP MATCHES IN MARK OF RESPECT FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN U.S.
  • Date: 12th September 2001
  • Summary: NYON, SWITZERLAND (SEPTEMBER 12, 2001) 1. EXTERIOR OF UEFA HEADQUARTERS IN NYON, SWITZERLAND 2. UEFA FLAG 3. UEFA SPOKESPERSON MICHAEL LEE WALKING INSIDE UEFA HEADQUARTERS 4. UEFA SPOKESPERSON MICHAEL LEE SAYING (soundbite) (english) "We have postponed all UEFA club competion games, both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup, for this week, that's Wednesday and Thursday, as a mark of respect for all those who died and as a way of showing our sympathy and condolences to their families." 5. LEE SAYING "There have been no threats, its not a security based decision, its really based on reflecting on the tragic events that have occurred in the United States, believing that football has to show its respect properly. And we will play our part in that in doing that. We felt that it would'nt be appropriate to keep the high profile European games going on while people are mourning and the events are still unfolding so its not a security-based decision, it's really, truly, a mark of respect". 6. LEE CONTINES "We are in the process of rescheduling (the games), we are discussing that with the clubs and the football associations. We are not going to make any announcements on that, but we are going to monitor the security situation and that could change and develop, but we will be in a better position to make announcements in the next few days about the rescheduling of the games. At the moment though, our thoughts are with those families who are suffering and are in pain from the losses that have occurred and rescheduling of games will be reannounced later." 7. CLOSE-UP OF UEFA CUP Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 27th September 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NYON, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZJUYV8NOLQ0D1NE0SMIIMB39
  • Story Text: European soccer's governing body UEFA has postponed all
    this week's Champions League and UEFA Cup matches after
    Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States.



    All UEFA club competition matches due to be played
    this week are to be postponed as a mark of respect for the victims,
    UEFA spokesperson Michael Lee said.

    Eight Champions League matches were played on Tuesday and
    another eight were scheduled for Wednesday.

    First round matches in the UEFA Cup involving more than 80
    clubs were scheduled for Thursday.

    European soccer's governing body UEFA faced a barrage of
    criticism on Wednesday for delaying a decision to postpone
    this week's Champions League.

    The decision was generally welcomed throughout Europe but
    several officials and players expressed concern at the timing.

    Union Berlin manager Heiner Bertram, whose team had
    already landed in Helinski for a UEFA Cup first round first
    leg tie against Haka Valkeakoski, said he was incensed UEFA
    had waited until Wednesday before making a decision.

    He said: "Our fans have taken holidays, have saved lots
    of money and somebody could have limited their losses."
    Leeds United manager David O'Leary said he thought Tuesday
    night's matches should have been postponed until Wednesday.

    Leeds, who were flying to Portugal for Thursday's UEFA Cup
    match against Maritimo, were in mid-air when the decision was
    announced. Their aircraft turned around and returned to Leeds
    airport in the north of England.

    Fiorentina chief executive Luciano Luna, whose team were
    about to leave for Ukraine and a UEFA Cup tie with Dnipro
    Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday, said the postponement was overdue.

    "It was a decision of good sense which should have been
    taken yesterday," he said.


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