Fulham boss Hodgson seeks fair play from UEFA

[noelyf]

Monday, 19 April 2010


Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes it would be unfair if UEFA forced his side to travel to Hamburg for Thursday's Europa League semi-final by land.


The Cottagers' first leg in Germany is in jeopardy thanks to the volcanic ash cloud which has engulfed Europe's skies, causing airports to remain closed all weekend.


Should British airspace remain closed until Wednesday, Fulham would have to catch a train or ferry to mainland Europe before making their way to northern Germany by road or rail.



Hodgson believes that would put his side's chances of making their first European final in history under threat.


'It will be a disadvantage if we can't fly and were obliged to find other means of travel,' said Hodgson after Saturday's goalless draw with Wolves.
'One of the major difficulties will be finding that means of travel. 'We wouldn't be able to contemplate booking anything until probably sometime during Monday, which would make it very late.'


UEFA are expected to confirm today whether or not the Europa League semi-finals scheduled for this week will go ahead.


Hodgson said his side will abide by any decision that UEFA make, and is confident that Europe's governing body will make the right call.


'We'll deal with whatever situation occurs,' said the 62-year-old.
'If it turns out that we are told that you have to travel anyway and you have to make the best of it and you have to travel there as best you can then we'll travel there the best we can and we'll still do our best on the night.


'I'm convinced UEFA want to make it as level a playing field as possible.'


Approximately 2,500 Fulham fans have bought tickets for the game against the German side, who include former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy among their ranks.


Hodgson believes those fans will be the losers if they have to make the journey should airspace remain closed.


'It would be a disaster for them,' said the former Inter Milan boss.


'It would be a real shame. For 30 or 40 people you might find train seats but for the 2,500 who have been really looking forward to this game then it's different.'

 

[wheelo]

they have since come back with the decision that the game should go ahead, I dont think that's the right decision.

this is from the EUFA website:-

UEFA is continuing to closely monitor the travel situation throughout Europe and beyond, in an effort to confirm the staging of a number of matches that are due to take place this week in UEFA competitions.

Regarding the UEFA Europa League semi-final first-leg matches scheduled for Thursday 22 April, between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC, and Hamburger SV and Fulham FC, it is planned that both games will go ahead as normal.

However, with the majority of airspace over Europe still closed and other forms of transport limited or fully booked, UEFA is in close contact with both English clubs on the travel options available to them.

Further news and information on the exact travel possibilities for these away teams is expected over the next 24 hours.

UEFA was forced to postpone Sunday's UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final decider between Umeå IK and Olympique Lyonnais due to the travel disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

Other UEFA fixtures that may be affected this week, and that are being monitored, include: the UEFA Futsal Cup finals in Lisbon, Portugal, with club teams from Azerbaijan, Italy, Spain and Portugal taking part from Friday 23 April to Sunday 25 April; and the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Netherlands.

The two UEFA Champions League matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week, between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona, and FC Bayern München and Olympique Lyonnais, are to go ahead as planned, with both visiting sides travelling overland to the games by coach.