Portugal in Swiss switch
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Article summary
Portugal's friendly against F.Y.R. Macedonia has been moved from Geneva to Lausanne after security concerns.
Article body
Different location
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed the switch today, with FPF general secretary Manuel Quaresma saying that the match would now take place at Lausanne-Sports' Olympique de la Pontaise ground next Wednesday, 2 April.
Safety concerns
F.Y.R. Macedonia and UEFA EURO 2004™ hosts Portugal agreed not to play in Geneva after talks between their respective officials. The La Praille stadium opened last week but is yet to meet the necessary safety requirements. Both the mayor of Geneva, André Hédiger, and the city's fire department had expressed concerns over the game going ahead at the new venue.