Platini issues Rome warning

UEFA president Michel Platini has warned the Champions League final could be taken away from Rome if there are further outbreaks of violence this season.

Roma were drawn in a pool including Chelsea when the group stage was decided yesterday, raising fears of a repeat of the trouble seen when Manchester United visited the Stadio Olimpico over the last two seasons.

On both occasions it was the home fans who were responsible for the majority of the problems, and Platini insisted that a repeat could bring the ultimate sanction.

“We can’t tolerate this level of violence,” he said in The Guardian.

“If we have any more violence we could withdraw the Champions League final from Rome. It’s not an ultimatum, just a message that we are keeping an eye on it.”