UEFA won't move final away from Rome after fan attack

UEFA said today that the Champions League Final will not be moving away from Rome and argued that finding another venue at this stage will put supporters at more of a risk.

An Arsenal fan suffered a suspected stab wound in a clash with hooligans before last night's game against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, the venue for this year's final on 27 May.

The incident led to speculation the showpiece could be moved to another city, but UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said today: "Moving to another place would probably put these arrangements in danger so it wouldn't be safer, it would be less safe."

The British Embassy in Rome said last night's victim was travelling on a minibus when it lost its way near the stadium and was ambushed by rival fans.

An embassy spokesman said the injured man managed to make his way into the stadium where he was treated for a bleeding leg.

Arsenal fans were warned before the game, which the Gunners won on penalties to eliminate the hosts from the competition, to avoid certain areas of the city because of fears there could be trouble with Roma's notorious hardcore fans, or 'ultras'. There were also claims from Mark Bright, who was covering the match for BBC Radio 5Live, that fans were sitting in gangways and stewards did nothing to clear emergency exits.