UEFA vow to protect United fans after Roma draw

Manchester United will work with Roma and UEFA in an effort to avoid a repeat of last season's violent scenes after being drawn against the Italian side in the group stages of the Champions League.

United supporters were baton charged by Italian police during a quarter-final first leg last April that resulted in fines for both clubs.

A UEFA disciplinary report found United much less at fault and last night they were promised they would receive better protection for what will be the final, and therefore potentially decisive, game of the group in December.

At the same time, however, they were also told they would have to take responsibility for their behaviour. UEFA's director of communications, William Gaillard, special adviser to president Michel Platini, said: "There were some problems in Rome and all clubs should endeavour to have proper stewarding.

"We will take special care of Manchester United fans because we know they had trouble. We will tighten security to make sure they don't get a repeat of the incident. We will be liaising with the clubs and the local authorities.

"The Italian FA have a new training programme for stewards. It means we will have well-trained stewards instead of riot police."

However, the reaction of Roma last night was less encouraging. A senior club official, Antonio Tempestilli, said: "We will allow five per cent of our capacity for United fans, which is 3,600, because that is what UEFA say we must do.

"But we do not believe the issue of the fans and the security in the stadium is our problem. It is a problem for the police and the justice department.

"We must make sure that things go off properly this time. After the bad experiences in both Rome and Manchester — and you must remember that what happened in Manchester was wrong — we have to do that.

"We are sure the Justice Minister and the police department will act strongly to avoid a repeat of last time. What happened was a shame for football.

"But I hope the same sort of measures will be used in Manchester too. We must not forget that Roma fans were attacked there."

UEFA will have to examine the issue of stewarding in Rome because the stadium is council owned and therefore comes under the local authority's jurisdiction. United chief executive David Gill said: "There were unacceptable scenes last time we were in Rome and, from our perspective, our fans were blameless.

"But we will work with the authorities, with Roma and with UEFA to make sure there is no repeat of what happened because we want it to be remembered as a great game just before Christmas.

"This is a new season and we want our fans to follow the club in great numbers, as they always do, and be able to go to games in comfort and enjoy the spectacle.

"There was a comprehensive report on the events last time and we will look at that again with UEFA. Michel Platini has made a point of saying that clubs have a responsibility to ensure the competition is remembered for the football and we will do all we can to make sure it is."

Those concerns aside, it remained a good draw for the four Premier League clubs. United meet Dynamo Kiev and Sporting Lisbon as well as Roma in Group F and that should not present them with too many problems.

After the first leg of that quarter-final against Roma, United chalked up a remarkable 7-1 win at Old Trafford, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani will relish the chance to play at their former club in Lisbon. Nevertheless Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The fact is this is a really tough group. Dynamo Kiev are a strong side and we know a bit about Sporting because we've signed two of their former players.

"We must hope we can get 10 points. That will be difficult but if we can get that total I think we'll go through."

After reaching the final twice in the last three seasons, Liverpool should be happy with the draw they were given.

Marseille will provide a reunion with Djibril Cisse and Bolo Zenden but the French side will not worry Rafa Benitez any more than Besiktas or Porto will. Chelsea, like United, meet the side they conquered in last season's quarter-finals, Valencia, and expect them to progress from a group that also includes Rosenborg and FC Schalke.

"We're not unhappy," said Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon. "The biggest difference for us this year is that we were seeded and that makes a huge difference."

Arsenal also have a decent draw, although they will not know until Monday if the fourth team in their group is Sevilla or AEK Athens.

The second leg of their qualifier was postponed after the death of Sevilla full back Antonio Puerta. Arsenal will also meet Steaua Bucharest and Slavia Prague — nice trips for the fans and not too difficult a challenge for the team, even if they have never met any of them in the Champions League before.

Venerdi occupiamoci di temi leggeri...

After facing yet another injury setback, it appears the stress of David Beckham's troubled football career is beginning to taking its toll.

It was clear during 32-year-old's latest LA outing that his once prized head of golden locks is starting to thin out.

 The balding star appeared in public for the first time after suffering a knee injury which has ruled the £125million player out of two vital European championship Qualifiers for England.

With knee and ankle supports on show, the England star was snapped wearing the strappings as he left an LA sports clinic after sustaining the injury during a game for LA Galaxy on Wednesday night.

 Beckham was accompanied by son Brooklyn, who no doubt tried his best to keep his father's spirit up.

 This latest injury has ruled him out of England's crucial forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

A scan has confirmed the problem as a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee which will keep him out for between four and six weeks. Beckham, 32, is also suffering an ankle injury picked up last season.

According to the MLS club, Beckham is likely to be out for between four and six weeks, keeping him out of Steve McClaren's squad for the Wembley clashes with Israel, on September 8, and Russia four days later.

And he could now also struggle to be fit for the qualifiers with Estonia and Russia, on October 13 and 17, respectively.

CALCIO, MANCHESTER UTD: SOLSKJAER ANNUNCIA RITIRO

E' il giorno dell'addio al calcio per Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Il 34enne attaccante norvegese del Manchester United, annuncera' oggi il suo ritiro. Arrivato ai red devils nel 1996, nelle ultime quattro stagioni Solskjaer ha dovuto fare i conti con una serie di infortuni. Con la maglia del Manchester ha messo assieme 366 presenze e segnato 126, tra questi anche quello decisivo per la vittoria nella finale di Champions League del 1999 contro il Bayern Monaco. (Nic. Api) (28/08/2007) (Spr)

Families of two British soccer fans murdered in Turkey lashed out after five men jailed over the deaths were freed.

They were caged for the killings seven years ago of Leeds supporters Christopher Loftus, 35, and Kevin Speight, 41, before a match in Istanbul.

But they have been let out of prison after launching appeals.

Sickened Christopher's mum Moira said: "All we want is justice - is that too much to ask."