- News>
- Football
Football officials take no chances before England-Turkey clash
London, July 11: Europe`s football chiefs have summoned officials from England and Turkey to UEFA`s Geneva headquarters in a bid to defuse the potentially explosive Euro 2004 qualifier between the two countries in Istanbul in October.
London, July 11: Europe's football chiefs have summoned officials from England and Turkey to UEFA's Geneva headquarters in a bid to defuse the potentially explosive Euro 2004 qualifier between the two countries in Istanbul in October.
Action has already been taken to take the sting out of the tie with a ban on England supporters travelling to the game but there are fears that some may make their own way to the match and buy tickets on the black market.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson and Turkey's Uefa and Fifa member Senes Erzik were leading the respective delegations meeting Uefa chief executive Gerhard Aigner in Nyon outside Geneva.
Uefa communications director Mike Lee, also due to be present at the meeting, said: "We need to make sure there is no complacency before the Turkey game.
"We know this match has the potential for difficulty and there are risks involved.
"We felt it would be useful to meet with representatives from England and Turkey well ahead of the game on October 11.
"We want to be fully informed on all of the safety and security measures that are being taken and discuss the co-operation that will be needed for this game.
"We have had a positive response from the two football associations and we believe it will be a constructive and useful meeting."
Uefa, the game's European ruling body, will press the Turks to confirm the venue for the match.
Currently, it is expected to be at Fenerbahce's stadium but there has been no final confirmation.
Bureau Report
Action has already been taken to take the sting out of the tie with a ban on England supporters travelling to the game but there are fears that some may make their own way to the match and buy tickets on the black market.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson and Turkey's Uefa and Fifa member Senes Erzik were leading the respective delegations meeting Uefa chief executive Gerhard Aigner in Nyon outside Geneva.
Uefa communications director Mike Lee, also due to be present at the meeting, said: "We need to make sure there is no complacency before the Turkey game.
"We know this match has the potential for difficulty and there are risks involved.
"We felt it would be useful to meet with representatives from England and Turkey well ahead of the game on October 11.
"We want to be fully informed on all of the safety and security measures that are being taken and discuss the co-operation that will be needed for this game.
"We have had a positive response from the two football associations and we believe it will be a constructive and useful meeting."
Uefa, the game's European ruling body, will press the Turks to confirm the venue for the match.
Currently, it is expected to be at Fenerbahce's stadium but there has been no final confirmation.
Bureau Report