Source: Team_Talk
United wait on damage assessment
UEFA are assessing damage caused to the replacement stadium for Dundee United's Europa League second leg against AEK Athens.[LNB] More doubt has been cast on the venue in the last 24 hours.[LNB]With the recently-laid pitch unplayable at AEK's home ground, the Olympic Stadium, the Greek club on Tuesday secured a deal to play at Nea Smyrni Stadium, the home of Panionios.[LNB]However, damage was caused to the pitch and goalposts on Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to sabotage the contest.[LNB]UEFA officials were due to inspect the stadium before United arrive in the Greek capital but AEK, who lead 1-0, remain confident the tie will go ahead as scheduled.[LNB]An AEK spokeswoman said: "There was damage but nothing has changed so far.[LNB]"It's not as bad as it looks, although I accept it looks bad in the photographs.[LNB]"Should something change there will be an announcement right away on our website in Greek and English."[LNB]AEK also played down fears that the 11,700-capacity stadium would not be able to accommodate the number of ticket-holders.[LNB]"We have already issued an announcement that the fans who have purchased tickets or season tickets will be allowed in," the spokeswoman added.[LNB]"The stadium is big enough for the tickets sold, ticket sales are not an issue.[LNB]"In Greece a lot of people buy season tickets to support the club but do not go to every game."[LNB]The vandalism was the latest episode in a week of uncertainty over the fixture.[LNB]The Olympic Stadium pitch was deemed unplayable on Monday after the new surface failed to bed amid problems with watering.[LNB]United were initially told the match could be moved almost 200 miles away to Volos but the Tayside club were understandably angered by that prospect.[LNB]AEK were given a deadline of noon on Tuesday by UEFA to find an alternative venue and were then allowed an extra four hours.[LNB]It was then confirmed that the match would be played in the home of their rivals Panionios, which is just more than two miles south of Athens city centre.[LNB]United have sold most of their allocation of 800 tickets for their first European away fixture in five years, but told supporters that new arrangements could not be released until after AEK held a meeting with police this morning.[LNB]UEFA have confirmed their officials were assessing the stadium but would not be in a position to comment until Wednesday afternoon.
