TOTTENHAM and Paris Saint-Germain fans may be preparing for their teams to face off on the pitch, but they have been united in dismay after being banned from buying anything but beer.
Europa League winners, Spurs, are gearing up to face the Champions League winners, PSG, for tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash in Udine, Italy.
The clash is being held at the 25,000-seater Stadio Friuli, home of Serie A side Udinese.
However, as thousands of fans from across Europe travel there for the 8pm clash, the city council has put a bizarre restriction in place against footy fanatics.
Footage captured by SunSport in the city showed that alcoholic spirits such as rum, whisky and vodka had all been taken down from behind a bar, with even wine being missing in action.
Instead, the only thing that was allowed to be served to thirsty patrons was beer.
A note written on a piece of paper taped up on the wall where spirits would typically revealed why they were not serving anything but beer.
The note, written in bold red ink, said: “Say thanks to the Uefa,” with another one underneath that adding: “It’s not our fault.”
Even locals were hit with the restriction.
A Udine policeman said: “These are the rules and it is beer only.
“Even the shops and supermarkets have not been allowed to sell alcohol to residents that live here.”
Alcohol is not the only thing to be axed ahead of the final, after Spurs gaffer Thomas Frank revealed Yves Bissouma had been banished from the Super Cup squad following disciplinary issues.
Speaking to reporters before his first competitive game as the north London clubs manager, he said: “Bissouma has not travelled with the team because of disciplinary reasons.
“He has been late several times and the latest time was one too many.
“With everything you need to give your players a lot of love but also have demands and there also need to be consequences and this time there was a consequence for that.
“For me there has been, how can I say it, a consequence for this trip and then I will follow up when I come home.
“I will park it now because there is a relatively important game for tomorrow.
“The captain will be announced for the squad tomorrow. The leadership group will be named at the end of this month.”
A similar problem has also occurred in PSG’s camp, with star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma being unceremoniously cut from the squad by boss Luis Enrique.
The former Barcelona manager said: “Donnarumma is out of the squad as it’s my own decision. I am 100 per cent responsible.
“These are always difficult decisions, I know that. I can only speak very well of Gigio Donnarumma, he is one of the best players in his role, no doubt.
“He is an even better person, but we are looking for a different kind of goalkeeper. It is always difficult to manage these kinds of situations.”
Donnarumma, 26, released a statement venting his frustration – as reports said he was moving closer to a stunning Manchester City transfer.
The angry Italian said: “Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team’s success. I am disappointed and disheartened.
“I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done.”
Spurs have never been in the Super Cup before while PSG lost their only time in it previously back in 1996, meaning there will be a new winner to take the crown this year.
Read the full article here
