Reds to play Atletico at neutral venue

Liverpool will play their next Champions League away match against Atletico Madrid at a neutral venue, after the Spanish club were hit with a stadium ban by Uefa.

Atletico have been fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) for racist abuse of Marseille players earlier this month and handed a three-match stadium ban after crowd trouble and lack of organisation at the same match.

It is Uefa's toughest-ever action for racist behaviour, and Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena.

Their next two Champions League home games cannot be played within 300 kilometres of Madrid. The third match ban will be invoked only if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.

Uefa communications director William Gaillard explained the reasons for the European governing body's stringent action, which follows an announcement that England will refuse to play in Madrid when they take on Spain in a friendly in February because of past racist incidents.

He said: "This shows our renewed determination to show zero tolerance towards racism. We had a great Euro 2008 with outstanding fan behaviour and we want our club games to be played in the same spirit."

Gaillard, special adviser to president Michel Platini, said he understood why England players may be reluctant to return to Madrid where they were targeted four years ago.

He added: "I understand the players' fears. That is exactly why we are acting with renewed strength - to make sure that in the future England players will not be threatened by this kind of behaviour."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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