ANKARA (AA) - ''Tight security measures have been taken for the European Champions League final between AC Milan of Italy and Liverpool of Britain in Istanbul next Wednesday,'' Turkish Security Department spokesman Ismail Caliskan said on Friday.
Caliskan told a weekly news conference that the Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, in line with UEFA criteria, had a capacity of 69 thousand seats.
''Liverpool supporters will enter the country through an airport on the Asian side of the city before being bussed over to Europe. AC Milan fans will fly into the main airport on the European shore,'' he said.
Caliskan told reporters that civil policemen were charged to prevent any attempt to blackmarket tickets for final.
''Security headquarters are working with English and Italian police. They will give us information on any hooligans that may come and will take measures accordingly. We don't think there will be any problems in this area. Security officials will be on duty at Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports receiving the fans to ensure no known hooligans slip through,'' he said.
Caliskan added that reinforcement units would be sent to Istanbul from neighboring cities.
The final, which is expected to bring in revenues of some 30 million euros (40 million USD), will be one of the biggest sporting events held in Istanbul.
Thousands of English and Italian supporters are expected to come to the city.
(UK-MS)
2005-05-20