Champions League

Fans, UEFA react as Napoli threatens to change venue for Liverpool game

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US Sassuolo Calcio v SSC Napoli - Serie A
Aurelio de Laurentiis

Serie A side Napoli are due to host Premier League side Liverpool on October 3 for a Champions League game at the Stadio San Paolo.

However, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis claims that the club has requested to move all their Group C home games to Bari’s Stadio San Nicola which is 160 miles away.

The problem arose after the club authorities had a disagreement with the local council in Naples, who own the 60,000 seater San Paolo stadium.

While the seats inside the stadium do not meet UEFA requirements, the club has been granted an exemption to play their home games in Naples in the past. This came with an agreement stating that the issue was to be rectified in the summer. The agreement was, however, broken as the stadium was not modified to suit the requirements.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Laurentiis said, “For me, it’s a nightmare. Such a bad stadium limits the status of Napoli at an international level. It’s a shame. For this reason, I say enough: I don’t want any more controversy, so I’ll build my own stadium.”

“And that’s that. We can’t go on like this anymore. Nobody can tell you to do anything if you put in your own money and have the land to build a stadium.

“In the meantime, I’ve asked UEFA to authorise us to play Champions League matches at Bari.”

The club president’s comments angered Naples mayor Luigi Di Magistris. Speaking to the Italian media, he said, “His suggestion is unthinkable and impractical.”

“It’s a serious matter to even think about something like that. Napoli play and will play at the San Paolo stadium.”

UEFA has denied the claims adding that they have not received any request to change the venue and Liverpool are expected to play the game at Stadio San Paolo.

Fans have since reacted to the news on Twitter:

MailOnline Sport

✔@MailSport

Liverpool’s Champions League tie with Napoli could take place over 160 miles away from Stadio San Paolo – despite the fact hundreds of fans have already shelled out for hotels and flights

Nicola Cornish @nikicornish

If @uefa agree to move Napoli’s CL game v Liverpool to Bari, I will look forward to seeing what they are going to do about LFC fans already having flights and hotels booked for Naples???

Sachin Nakrani
✔@SachinNakrani

Well this is a massive ballache for those of us who have already paid for flights and accommodation:

Liverpool’s clash against Napoli under threat of venue switch

Serie A side’s owner ready to play next month’s clash on opposite side of Italy

liverpoolecho.co.uk

Sport Options@Sport_Options

Napoli v Liverpool – We are hearing rumours this game will now be moved to Bari. We think this is unlikely but we have a contingency plan in place to fly direct to Bari instead of Naples if the game is moved.

This Is Anfield
✔@thisisanfield
 Three hours and 163 miles from Napoli, with the cheapest flights at over £200…

Napoli proposal could impact Liverpool fans’ travel plans

The Reds are set to play in Italy on October 3.

thisisanfield.com

Nicola Cornish @nikicornish

If @uefa agree to move Napoli’s CL game v Liverpool to Bari, I will look forward to seeing what they are going to do about LFC fans already having flights and hotels booked for Naples???

Laurence@LaurenceNew

Fuming with this, surely there’s something to say they can’t move it this late with flights etc.. all booked?

James Pearce

✔@JamesPearceEcho

Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Napoli under threat of venue switch

Liverpool’s clash against Napoli under threat of venue switch

Serie A side’s owner ready to play next month’s clash on opposite side of Italy

liverpoolecho.co.uk

Eugene Grinchenko@grinchenko_

Can they really get away with that only 3 weeks before the match? Should’ve done that before the draw, not when flights and tickets were booked.

Dilan Mistry@Dilanmistry_14

What a joke if this actually happens..https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-champions-league-napoli-stadium-15136353 …

Liverpool’s clash against Napoli under threat of venue switch

Serie A side’s owner ready to play next month’s clash on opposite side of Italy

liverpoolecho.co.uk

Fans were relieved when UEFA clarified the issue:

I Love Liverpool@love_liverpool

Well, this is good news for us. Napoli sound completely disorganised thanks to their prez!

​Napoli fail to lodge request for Liverpool venue change

Napoli have not made a request to change the venue of their UEFA Champions League tie against Liverpool.A claim was made by the club’s president, Aurelio De

tribalfootball.com

James Pearce
✔@JamesPearceEcho

UEFA say no request from Napoli to move CL clash with . The Reds have had no discussions about a potential switch and expect the game to go ahead as planned at Stadio San Paolohttps://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/uefa-not-received-any-request-15137892 …

UEFA have addressed Liverpool’s Champions League game at Napoli

Serie A side had claimed they were threatening to move match 160 miles away to Bari

liverpoolecho.co.uk

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