Soccer-Make dream final a festival, Platini appeals to fans

By Mike Collett

ROME, May 25 (Reuters) - UEFA president Michel Platini appealed to Manchester United and Barcelona fans on Monday to turn this week's UEFA Champions League final into a soccer festival and not tarnish the event with violence.

More than 40,000 fans with tickets from England and Spain are expected in the Italian capital over the next 48 hours and UEFA has organised fan zones for both sets of supporters as well as a festival site. However, several thousand fans, especially from England are expected to arrive without tickets, and they are causing UEFA some concern.

Platini, who experienced the worst desecration of European soccer's showpiece event as a Juventus player in the 1985 final after the Heysel Stadium disaster in which 39 Juventus fans were killed, said that UEFA had every confidence the "dream final" between two of European soccer's most glamorous clubs would go ahead without trouble, even though UEFA is aware of the possibility it could occur.

Platini told Reuters: "This is going to be a wonderful match, and the whole world will be glued to this event, that is why it is important that everyone behaves themselves.

"Football must show itself in the best positive light. UEFA is at the service of the fans, as was the case last year with waiving the visas for Moscow and will be the case this year, as we have done everything possible to make sure that they can enjoy the atmosphere, the event and the celebration of football.

"We are therefore counting on the fans to have a good time and to behave. Enjoy Rome, enjoy the festivities and most of all enjoy the football."

UEFA have worked tirelessly with the Italian police and security services over the last two years to ensure that Wednesday's match goes ahead without trouble.

Rob Faulkner, UEFA's Head of Communcations told Reuters: "We are fully aware there is a history of incidents in Rome caused by the rogue elements among some fans in the city, but we are not aware of any issues between Barcelona and Manchester United fans and we are expecting them to really enjoy the match in one of the world's greatest cities.