Roma v Liverpool: Police 'can guarantee fans' safety' if they stay within rules
By Dan Roan
BBC sports editor in Rome
Police say they can "guarantee the safety of Liverpool fans" in Rome as long as they stay within Italian rules.
Liverpool asked for an "extraordinary" meeting with Uefa, Roma and Italian police after the first leg and issued safety advice to fans travelling to Rome.
Supporters have been asked not to hang banners or scarves on monuments and fountains, avoid certain parts of the city and arrive at the Stadio Olimpico by 17:00 BST. The match starts at 19:45.
Luciani confirmed that non-ticket holders would have "no chance" of getting inside the stadium.
"They need a ticket and passport or ID card," he said. "This is the only way to gain entrance for the match. Without a ticket, it is not forbidden to watch the match inside a pub, bar or restaurant but not inside the stadium."
Luciani also said no alcohol can be consumed in the street and Rome police will have "a special team dedicated to controlling these rules".
He added: "It's a tough challenge but what is important is for us to enjoy and lead the city for the citizens, supporters, for everyone. We want it to be an important sporting day - nothing else."
Liverpool fans have been told to meet at Piazza delle Canestre and urged to travel to and from the stadium on specially dedicated buses, rather than walk.
English fans have been targeted by Roma ultras in in the Italian capital before with supporters of Liverpool stabbed in 2001, Middlesbrough in 2006, Manchester United in 2007, Arsenal in 2009, and Spurs in 2013. Chelsea fans were also attacked last year.
Meanwhile, the mayors of Liverpool and Rome have issued a joint message,calling for a "violence-free evening" on Wednesday.
Liverpool have sold their 5,000 tickets for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.
The Reds' 5-2 win in Tuesday's first leg at Anfield was marred by an attack on home supporter Sean Cox.
Public order commissioner Giorgio Luciani told BBC Sport it is a "tough challenge" involving 1,200 police officers.
But he added: "We are used to managing these events. For the Rome Marathon we organised a police service of more than 1,000 people. For the derby between Roma and Lazio it was the same.
"We can guarantee the safety of Liverpool supporters if they respect the rules and make the day as normal as they can.
"We don't ask for anything special, just that they respect the rules."
Two Italian men have been charged over the attack on 53-year-old Irishman Cox, who suffered head injuries and is in a critical condition. On Monday, doctors were hoping to bring him out of an induced coma.
The incident has been condemned by the two clubs and the authorities, and Luciani said: "It's a terrible episode.
"We are working in synergy with the English police to solve this problem and help them, and vice versa for this match."
By Dan Roan
BBC sports editor in Rome
Police say they can "guarantee the safety of Liverpool fans" in Rome as long as they stay within Italian rules.
Liverpool asked for an "extraordinary" meeting with Uefa, Roma and Italian police after the first leg and issued safety advice to fans travelling to Rome.
Supporters have been asked not to hang banners or scarves on monuments and fountains, avoid certain parts of the city and arrive at the Stadio Olimpico by 17:00 BST. The match starts at 19:45.
Luciani confirmed that non-ticket holders would have "no chance" of getting inside the stadium.
"They need a ticket and passport or ID card," he said. "This is the only way to gain entrance for the match. Without a ticket, it is not forbidden to watch the match inside a pub, bar or restaurant but not inside the stadium."
Luciani also said no alcohol can be consumed in the street and Rome police will have "a special team dedicated to controlling these rules".
He added: "It's a tough challenge but what is important is for us to enjoy and lead the city for the citizens, supporters, for everyone. We want it to be an important sporting day - nothing else."
Liverpool fans have been told to meet at Piazza delle Canestre and urged to travel to and from the stadium on specially dedicated buses, rather than walk.
English fans have been targeted by Roma ultras in in the Italian capital before with supporters of Liverpool stabbed in 2001, Middlesbrough in 2006, Manchester United in 2007, Arsenal in 2009, and Spurs in 2013. Chelsea fans were also attacked last year.
Meanwhile, the mayors of Liverpool and Rome have issued a joint message,calling for a "violence-free evening" on Wednesday.
Liverpool have sold their 5,000 tickets for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.
The Reds' 5-2 win in Tuesday's first leg at Anfield was marred by an attack on home supporter Sean Cox.
Public order commissioner Giorgio Luciani told BBC Sport it is a "tough challenge" involving 1,200 police officers.
But he added: "We are used to managing these events. For the Rome Marathon we organised a police service of more than 1,000 people. For the derby between Roma and Lazio it was the same.
"We can guarantee the safety of Liverpool supporters if they respect the rules and make the day as normal as they can.
"We don't ask for anything special, just that they respect the rules."
Two Italian men have been charged over the attack on 53-year-old Irishman Cox, who suffered head injuries and is in a critical condition. On Monday, doctors were hoping to bring him out of an induced coma.
The incident has been condemned by the two clubs and the authorities, and Luciani said: "It's a terrible episode.
"We are working in synergy with the English police to solve this problem and help them, and vice versa for this match."
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