UEFA President praises Italian police

UEFA President Michel Platini has praised the Italian police for their security arrangements at Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

'Satisfaction and gratitude'
In a letter to the head of police in Rome, Mr Platini expressed UEFA's "satisfaction and gratitude for having guaranteed security at the UEFA Champions League final, thanks to the meticulous preparations and considerable deployment of the forces of law and order".

Great influx
Mr Platini said that the influx of tens of thousands of supporters of both teams at the same time could have led to serious problems in terms of security management, as had been raised and discussed during the long phase of preparation and coordination between Italian police, UEFA experts and police from Spain and the United Kingdom.

Joyous sporting festival
"The event itself, and the days leading up to the event passed very peacefully and in an atmosphere befitting the joyous sporting festival that we had hoped for, and for which we are certainly indebted to the work undertaken by all of those who planned security management [at the event]," the UEFA President said.

Magnificent city setting
"I am delighted," Mr Platini added, "that we are able to speak about a football event of such importance solely for its great sporting success, and as a popular festival in a magnificent city setting, without the need to take note of any significant public order problems."