UEFA Disputes Pressure Claim On Dortmund, Monaco Clash
UEFA has refuted claims it pressured Borrusia Dortmund to go ahead with the Champions League match against Monaco on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after a bomb attack on their team bus
The European football governing body insisted it never received information suggesting the teams did not want to play.
Borussia Dortmund took to the field Wednesday in a distressing Champions League quarterfinal encounter with Monaco, a game that was rescheduled following a bomb attack on their team bus on Tuesday night.
Advertisement
Dortmund were understandably subdued in the first half and despite improving after the break they suffered a 3-2 first-leg loss — their first home defeat in 21 matches.
German media had questioned rearranging the match so quickly after three explosives had shattered windows and injured Dortmund defender Marc Bartra en route to the Westfalenstadion for a tie which was originally to be played Tuesday.
After the match, Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel said UEFA’s actions made the club feel “impotent.”
“We were informed by text message that UEFA was making this decision,” Tuchel told reporters. “We would have liked more time to take stock. A decision made in Switzerland that concerns us directly? We will not forget it.
Advertisement
“It is a very bad feeling. A few minutes after this attack, the only question asked was: ‘Are you ready to play?’ As if we had a beer thrown on our coach. At that time we did not know the reasons for this attack.”
Dortmund defender, Sokratis Papastathopoulos suggested he felt his teammates had been treated like “animals”, while Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim admitted it was difficult for the players to concentrate as his side secured a 3-2 victory.
However, in response to the numerous criticism, a UEFA spokesman said both clubs were involved in the decision making process and did not suggest they were not ready for the clash.
“The decision to play the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco FC on Wednesday at 18.45CET was made on Tuesday night at the BVB Stadium Dortmund in cooperation and complete agreement with clubs and authorities,” the spokesman said.
“UEFA was in touch with all parties on Wednesday and never received any information which suggested that any of the teams did not want to play.”
