Champions League ties to go ahead

THIS week’s Champions League semi-final first legs will go ahead as scheduled despite the current restriction on European air travel due to the volcanic ash cloud.

UEFA say tomorrow’s first semi between Inter Milan and Barcelona, and Wednesday’s clash between Bayern Munich and Lyon would be unaffected by the Icelandic eruption which has led to the grounding of planes across northern Europe.

European football’s governing body also revealed a decision would be taken “in the coming days” about whether Thursday’s Europa League semi-finals between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, and Hamburg and Fulham would go ahead as planned.