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| May 8, 2002 | Wednesday | Safar 24, 1423 |
UEFA Cup final goes ahead
ROTTERDAM, May 7: Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final between Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund will go ahead as planned after the murder of Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, Rotterdam mayor Ivo Opstelten told a news conference Tuesday.
Concerns about street violence at the final were heightened after supporters of Fortuyn’s anti-immigration policies clashed with riot police in the Hague Monday, hours after he was gunned down.
Around 40,000 fans are expected to pack into the Feyenoord stadium for the biggest game the city has hosted since the final of the European soccer championship in 2000.
The decision to go ahead was made after Rotterdam’s police chief, mayor and chief prosecutor met to discuss security arrangements for the match, the second most important final in European club soccer, at Feyenoord’s home stadium, De Kuip.
The Dutch government decided on Tuesday that the country’s general election on May 15 should go ahead following the killing of 54-year-old prime ministerial hopeful Fortuyn.
Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk said he was “shocked and saddened” by Fortuyn’s killing.
“It is inconceivable that a politician was murdered in the Netherlands and it is very difficult for me to express my feelings and focus on the match,” he told a news conference.
“Personally I have certain problems in carrying on, but I understand UEFA wants this match to be played. So we must get on with it.”—Reuters
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