Italian politician Luigi Musto has demanded UEFA reinstate the travel and accommodation costs of both Rangers and Napoli supporters after away fans were banned from both Champions League games. European football's governing body decided to reschedule the second game in the group stage from Tuesday to Wednesday because of Scottish policing issues.
Napoli were due to have around 600 fans at Ibrox for the tie and Rangers would have expected to bring a few thousand supporters to Italy for the return game next month. But UEFA banned away fans from Ibrox and also decided in the interests of 'sporting integrity' that no Rangers fans will receive briefs for the match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Now Naples city politician Musto, whose constituency represents Napoli's ground, has urged UEFA to compensate both sets of fans for their decision. He pointed out: "I have expressed my total disdain over this decision. Hundreds of Napoli supporters have already bought flights, hotels and tickets for the match in Glasgow.
"I can understand the decision to move the game 24 hours given the public order reasons stated by the local police forces in Scotland. But why would they close the away end? It's totally unacceptable. Fans should not have to pay for these idiotic decisions.
"SSC Napoli have already said they will refund tickets, but that is just a small proportion of the costs to supporters. Who will pay for the cancelled flights? The British Government? UEFA? And the Scots have the same problem for the game in Naples - a decision disguised as being at a 'level playing field.' It's an absurd decision and a disgraceful one.
"Already, I have been inundated with requests about. The fans are rightly furious. I will always defend the people of this city and I hope Napoli demand UEFA compensate the fans."
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