Liverpool strike fear in Europe, Real Madrid's desperate strategy ahead of Champions League showdown

Liverpool fans have 1,800 seats for the March 15 second leg in Madrid, rather than the 3,000 required by Champions League rules. Madrid cited ongoing construction work to refurbish the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, whose highest attendance this season has been 63,000.

"Liverpool FC should receive 3,500 tickets for the match and not the punished 1,800," said Football Supporters Europe, an association that UEFA consults on fan-related matters. The statement was signed in conjunction with Liverpool supporters' associations.

"It is completely unacceptable for a club to so blatantly ignore UEFA's rules as well as its responsibility to the fans in this matter," they added in the statement. "Real Madrid has been allowed to operate with reduced redistribution for far too long." The supporters' groups said Madrid has an obligation to follow Champions League rules regardless of "the advice of the local police", which the league has cited.

Few tickets for Liverpool fans

Article 38 of the Champions League regulations states: "Home clubs shall provide that at least 5% of the total capacity approved by UEFA is available exclusively for away supporters, in separate and secure areas." The regulations also limit the price of tickets for away supporters to 70 euros ($76).