Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham fear for Europa League journey with volcanic ash cloud wreaking havoc on the continent
Fulham face an anxious wait to see if volcanic ash could once again scupper their Europa League plans.
The club were forced to travel 895 miles to Hamburg by coach for the first leg of their semi-final on April 22 as UEFA refused to re-arrange the game.
Roy Hodgson's side may now be forced to repeat their gruelling 27-hour journey ahead of Wednesday's final against Atletico Madrid, which will also be held in Hamburg's Nordbank Arena.
Last team standing: Fulham are England's sole representatives in a European final this season, but their journey to final is under threat from the infamous ash cloud (below)
Volcanic ash affected air travel across much of southern Europe yesterday and the Fulham boss admitted he was worried.
He added: 'It could be very problematic and I only hope we have the luck to see the ash cloud disappear from the airspace between England and Germany.
'It is a very, very complicated matter. While our administrative team are working on it as best they can, to some extent we are going to be very much in the hands of the aviation authorities. What we can and can't do will be decided by them, not us.'
Fulham are scheduled to leave Gatwick Airport at 11am on Tuesday morning, but Hodgson called for the game to be postponed if Atletico Madrid's travel plans are also affected.
He said: 'I hope UEFA show some transience, rather than the usual intransigence, and try to find a solution which helps us both by postponing the game until we both can fly there.
'You would be placing the game with thousands and thousands of English and Spanish fans not able to go, which I would say is another reason for UEFA to reconsider. It would be harsh, especially on a team like ours who have had to do it once already.'. The ash cloud has caused a huge increase in travel insurance claims with extras such as airport parking not being returned. Arsenal 4 Fulham 0: Fans make feelings known but Arsene Wenger looks on the bright sideFulham star Zamora set for Capello's provisional World Cup finals squadHodgson the history man as he prepares for Europa League finalHodgson sweating on key pair Zamora and Duff for Europa League finalFULHAM FC
