San Siro to host Champions League matches

ROME, Feb 15 (Reuters) Inter and AC Milan will play their next Champions League home matches at the San Siro stadium although the crowd capacity will be limited, UEFA said today.

The venue had been in doubt because of stepped-up safety regulations after a policeman was killed in rioting at a Serie A match in Sicily on February 2.

Inter host Valencia on Wednesday, while AC Milan will play Celtic on March 7.

In a statement on its Web site (www.uefa.com), UEFA said the permitted capacity for the Inter match would be 36,000 spectators, of which 1,800 would be visiting fans.

No capacity has yet been set for Milan's game, although the UEFA statement said 4,500 tickets would be made available for Celtic supporters. When full, the San Siro holds 85,000.

UEFA's decision to allow in Valencia and Celtic fans contrasts with the ban on visiting fans laid down by the Italian Football Federation for domestic games at the stadium.

In Serie A the San Siro is only open to Milan and Inter's season-ticket holders after emergency works last week to install electronic turnstiles brought it closer to complying with safety regulations.

Reuters PDS GC1917