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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Liverpool fans' exodus under way | Liverpool fans' exodus under way |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| About 8,000 Liverpool fans are setting off for the Champions League final on 37 flights expected to take off from the city's John Lennon airport. | About 8,000 Liverpool fans are setting off for the Champions League final on 37 flights expected to take off from the city's John Lennon airport. |
| Those without tickets have been urged by police to stay away from the Olympic Stadium in Athens. | Those without tickets have been urged by police to stay away from the Olympic Stadium in Athens. |
| Merseyside officers are in the Greek capital assisting local police, who have 8,500 officers on duty. | |
| At Stansted airport several fans were stranded after an Athens flight was moved to an earlier departure time. | |
| Thomas Cook said some of those affected by Wednesday's changes had organised their own travel arrangements, while others would be transferred to Heathrow flights. | |
| There are estimated to be about 25,000 Reds fans at the AC Milan clash. | |
| Many fans have travelled to Athens without tickets | |
| There has been resentment that the allocations to the two clubs have been 17,000 each in the 63,000 capacity stadium, driving many supporters on to the black market. | |
| The British Embassy said staff had distributed 10,000 leaflets giving advice on what to do if fans encountered a problem. | |
| Merseyside's Ch Supt Dave Lewis accepted that many fans had ignored his requests not to travel to Greece without tickets. | |
| He said: "If I'm a realist, I expect the neutral East Stand to be predominantly full of Liverpool supporters. I can ask for tickets myself as I walk around. | |
| "But I would urge fans who have not managed to find any not to go to the ground. | |
| "It makes it worse for people who have legitimate tickets - they will create problems for their own kith and kin." | |
| In Merseyside, police are warning that fans should take care in busy pubs, bars and restaurants. | In Merseyside, police are warning that fans should take care in busy pubs, bars and restaurants. |
| Ch Supt Andy Ward said: "Two years ago the majority of supporters were good humoured and well behaved, this year we're hoping the fans will again make the city proud. | Ch Supt Andy Ward said: "Two years ago the majority of supporters were good humoured and well behaved, this year we're hoping the fans will again make the city proud. |
| I think the Liverpool fans will come here and be good ambassadors Simon GassBritish ambassador | I think the Liverpool fans will come here and be good ambassadors Simon GassBritish ambassador |
| "Officers will be in place to deal with fans in a firm, fair and friendly manner. However anyone caught acting anti-socially or illegally will be dealt with appropriately." | "Officers will be in place to deal with fans in a firm, fair and friendly manner. However anyone caught acting anti-socially or illegally will be dealt with appropriately." |
| Six people have been stopped from leaving the UK in the ports and airports operation designed to stop troublemakers flying to Athens. | Six people have been stopped from leaving the UK in the ports and airports operation designed to stop troublemakers flying to Athens. |
| Two were at John Lennon Airport and four were stopped at Dover for alleged possession of forged tickets. | Two were at John Lennon Airport and four were stopped at Dover for alleged possession of forged tickets. |
| British Ambassador Simon Gass said: "British football has a great reputation, it's a wonderful export for us in many ways. | British Ambassador Simon Gass said: "British football has a great reputation, it's a wonderful export for us in many ways. |
| "I think the Liverpool fans will come here and be good ambassadors." | "I think the Liverpool fans will come here and be good ambassadors." |