Atletico Madrid have lost the home advantage in their upcoming Champions League encounter with Liverpool as the Spanish outfit have been handed a three-match stadium ban by UEFA. The Primera Liga side were sanctioned as a result of their fans' extreme misconduct and racial slurs in the 2-1 win over Marseille last month. The spectators' outrageous riot marred the victory at Vicente Calderon, it also cost their club an unnecessary punishment and a harsh £120,000 fine. The match is set to take place at a neutral ground, but the venue is yet to be determined, as UEFA announced that Atletico's next two Champions League home games can not be held within 300 kilometers of Madrid. The third match ban will only be activated if their spectators repeated the insulting jeers within the next five years. Furthermore, Atletico boss Javier Aguirre has been banned from the touchline for both legs against the Premiership outfit, due to being involved in verbal exchanges with Marseille players.
Torres denied Calderon return Atletico are set to appeal against the stadium ban. They can file an injunction up till Friday. Torres Frustration Former Atletico Madrid favorite Fernando Torres sounded his dismay by the news that he will not be able to make a long-awaited return to Calderon in the Group D tie. "After so much time waiting, it is the worst and most unexpected news that I could have heard this morning," the Liverpool ace told Marca. "I'm eager to go back. I don't know if it is definitive, I hope that a solution can be found. "It is a shame that these incidents have forced the stadium to be closed, but if this is what happens then we have to accept it."
