Reds' Madrid trip back on

Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid next week will be played at the Vicente Calderon stadium after all.

Atletico were this week ordered by UEFA to play their next two matches in the competition at a neutral venue at least 300 kilometres away from the Spanish capital after trouble during their match against Marseille on October 1.

The decision brought protests from Liverpool over the short notice of the switch, as many fans have already made travel arrangements for the game on October 22.

European governing body UEFA today suspended the sanction – and were quick to stress it had not been overturned – pending an Atletico appeal on October 31.

The UEFA statement read: "Following the decision of UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body to sanction Club Atletico de Madrid for a series of incidents at the UEFA Champions League Group D match against Olympique de Marseille on 1 October, the club has lodged an appeal against the decision and requested suspension of the sanctions to allow their match against Liverpool FC to be played in Madrid as originally scheduled.

"After immediate consideration of the request for suspension, and having considered in particular the organisational and logistical difficulties related to relocating the Club Atletico de Madrid v Liverpool FC match to another venue at short notice, the chairman of the appeals body has decided to grant the request for suspension of the sanctions.

"Consequently, UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Champions League match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC will take place as scheduled on October 22 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

"It should be emphasised that suspension of the sanctions does not mean that the decision of the control and disciplinary body has been set aside. The decision remains in force pending a full hearing of the appeal which will take place on Friday, October 31 at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

"UEFA is however keen to stress that safety and security matters, including efficient cooperation with the police, are of the utmost priority and that there is a zero-tolerance policy for incidents concerning racism in football.

"The match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC will be under particular scrutiny and UEFA is ready to take immediate and further action if there are any reported incidents at this match."