Napoli-Rangers match postponed to Wednesday: UEFA

A portrait of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on a giant screen following the announcement of her death, prior to the start of the UEFA Europa League Group F first leg football match between SS Lazio and Feyenoord Rotterdam at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Thursday. [AFP/YONHAP]

 
UEFA announced Sunday that Napoli will be facing Rangers FC in their Champions League tie on Wednesday instead of Tuesday due to limitations on police resources.
 
“The decision to reschedule the match is due to the severe limitations on the U.K. police force and the ongoing events surrounding the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” SSC Napoli announced Sunday.
 
UEFA also added that Napoli fans will not be able to attend the rescheduled match on Wednesday. In return, Rangers fans will also not be allowed to attend the second leg in Naples. Fans who have already purchased tickets will later be reimbursed.
 
As for Korean footballers in the Champions League, this decision affects Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, while Son Heung-min and Tottenham Hotspur will play Tuesday’s Champions League match against Portuguese club Sporting in Lisbon as scheduled.
 
The latest decision follows the Premier League’s postponement on Friday morning following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
 
The decision postponed Son and Tottenham Hotspur’s away clash with Manchester City and Hwang Hee-chan and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ visit to Liverpool. The new dates for the two fixtures have not been decided yet.
 
It is also possible that further postponements could follow. The Premier League plans for games to continue next week when Wolves take on Man City on Friday and Spurs face Leicester on Saturday.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]