Sales of alcohol banned as fans descend
Twenty thousand Manchester United fans have tickets for the match but another 10,000 were expected to make the journey to Italy despite pleas not to travel without a ticket. The authorities in Rome were bracing themselves for a similar number of Spanish fans, with fears that the high number of ticketless supporters could lead to trouble before kick-off.
To avoid violence, city officials have banned the sale of alcohol around the stadium and in airports and stations until Thursday morning. Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno said: "I have asked [interior] minister, Roberto Maroni, to have maximum attention from the security officers to avoid any incidents. We have [also] spoken to Rome football fans and asked them to show maximum solidarity."
Thirty scheduled flights to the Eternal City were due to depart today from Manchester Airport, where extra staff have been brought in to cope with demand. Fans were warned by police they had no chance of getting into the Stadio Olimpico without a genuine match ticket, which contains personal details of each ticket holder in a micro-chip. Supporters will also have to produce photographic identification.
Seventy-three banning orders are in place ensuring convicted hooligans from Manchester have to hand over their passports before the game, with police monitoring UK airports for known troublemakers.
British police have urged United supporters to use a public transport pass for football fans to get to the stadium for free – and not walk to the ground, a route which passes bars known to be haunts of notorious hooligan gangs, known as Ultras, who it is feared may target travelling fans.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have 12 officers on duty in Rome, some in uniform and others in plain clothes acting as hooligan spotters. GMP superintendent John Graves, who will head co-ordination with the Italian police, said he hoped British fans would behave "impeccably".
If United become the first team to retain the trophy since the modern format of the competition was adopted in the early 1990s, a parade through the city of Manchester will take place tomorrow, with tens of thousands expected to welcome the players home.
Prince William to join United fans in Rome
Prince William will tonight join thousands of Manchester United fans in Rome for the Champions League final. The Prince has been invited by the Football Association to attend the match against Barcelona in his capacity as the organisation's president.
Ahead of kick-off he will be granted an audience with King Juan Carlos of Spain, who will cheer on United's opponents. He will also meet Fifa and Uefa representatives at the Stadio Olimpico.
A spokesman for St James's Palace said: "The Prince will meet key Fifa and Uefa officials and other dignitaries in private before the match, during half-time and after the match. [He] will be accompanied by senior FA officials, including its chairman Lord Triesman."
Charlton anticipating 'special' final
Sir Bobby Charlton cannot wait for tonight's showdown between Manchester United and Barcelona. As a former winner of Europe's most prestigious club competition, Charlton realises how difficult it will be for United to achieve back-to-back success.
Obviously, United legend Charlton wants the Red Devils to come out on top. However, the former World Cup winner also spoke of his admiration for Barcelona, and is looking forward to the two best club sides on the planet going head to head.
"There will be billions of people watching around the world and like me I think they are anticipating something special," said Charlton. "It is the best two teams in Europe. Manchester United have a reputation for the kind of football they have always played. Barcelona have the same reputation.
"They have exciting players and inventive players. Barcelona have Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Andres Iniesta. They are very thoughtful players, really good strikers. But we have Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, who are thoughtful and inventive as well. It is really hard to choose who is going to win."
United have already managed something no side has achieved since 1997 by reaching the final again in an attempt to retain their trophy. However, Charlton does not feel defeat in the Italian capital this evening would be a disaster for the Old Trafford outfit.
"Whenever I feel this club might have reached the end of the road in what has been a fantastic period, they come up with something else," he said. "This club has more success in front of it. I am sure about that."
