Rome fears ‘invasion’

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 6

Rome fears ‘invasion’

NZPA London More than 18,000 English football supporters are expected to be in Rome tomorrow for the European Cup final between Liverpool and Germany’s Borussia Moenchengladbach. Advance parties of supporters, however, are finding the atmosphere “not too friendly.” According to the “Guardian” soccer writer, Frank Keating, “the Romans view

i Liverpudlians with the apprehension they once felt for Attila the Hun.” 8 English travel firms are finding it increasingly dif- ) ficult to find hotels for the supporters. Hotelt in Rome are conceiting accommoda- • tion when they find out it is for English football supporters. A London travel agent, Mr Michael Ross, said yes- > terday: ‘There has been a terrific anti-British campaign building up in Rome for the match. : “On the television and in ’ the press every day there

have been warnings of wh;., to expect from Liverpudlians. “They re-run the film of the Leeds supporters breaking up Paris after the final a couple of years ago. They show pictures from any English Saturday football match.” Supporters travelling to the game are being asked by the Foreign Office to sign an edict which says: “I, the undersigned, agree to (A) behave in a responsible manner: (B) agree to occupy the seat provided for me at the match.”