UEFA to improve safeguards for fans attending its club finals

UEFA has brought in new measures to improve safeguards for fans attending finals in the wake of last season's Champions League fiasco.

European football's governing body has drawn on the recommendations from the independent review panel into the chaotic scenes at the Stade de France, which saw Liverpool supporters suffer serious congestion problems and over-zealous policing, and an internal working group.

It has also held "extensive and positive dialogue" with fan groups, primarily through Football Supporters Europe (FARE), to ensure their greater involvement in the staging of finals.

Among the measures being taken are the appointment of dedicated supporter liaison officers and disability access officers for each final, an increase in the number of UEFA safety and security officers at events and improved 'welcome services', including signage, particularly along the last kilometre of stadium access routes - the lack of which was a significant problem at the Stade de France.

UEFA will work with clubs to integrate travelling stewards into the overall plan, dedicated staff will be posted at each turnstile block to assist with ticket problems and medical personnel will be visible at the turnstiles and the stadium concourse.

Crowd modelling reports have been commissioned for this year's finals, something which is likely to be repeated for future events, while UEFA insists it has established a process to avoid destruction of stadium CCTV footage in the event of problems - something which occurred immediately after Liverpool's defeat to Real Madrid.

"We are fully committed to ensuring that every football fan can enjoy their team's appearance in a UEFA final in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment," said general secretary Theodore