Napoli vs Liverpool: Uefa seek assurances over Stadio San Paolo after Ancelotti blasts state of dressing rooms

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David Lynch12 September 2019

Uefa officials have sought assurances from Napoli that their Stadio San Paolo home will be ready in time for next week’s Champions League meeting with Liverpool.

The council-owned stadium, which first opened in 1959, underwent major renovation this summer for use in the World University Games.

Further work following the Games’ completion meant the ground’s main tenants were forced to play their first two fixtures of the new Serie A season away from home.

That exile is set to end on Saturday when Napoli play host to Sampdoria, with Liverpool the next scheduled visitors the following Tuesday.

However, prior to his side’s return, manager Carlo Ancelotti has lashed out at the state of the home dressing room, which appeared far from ready in a video posted on the club’s official Twitter account.

The Italian said: "I have seen the state of the dressing rooms at the San Paolo. There are no words.

“I accepted the club's request to play the first two games away from home to allow the work to be finished, as was promised.

"Where are we supposed to get changed for the games against Sampdoria and Liverpool? I'm shocked at the incompetence of the people in charge of the work.

"How could the region, municipality and commissioners fail to respect the commitments that were made? It smacks of disregard and a lack of a bond with the city's team. I'm dismayed."

Champions League draw results

Uefa sources have told Standard Sport that they will liaise closely with Napoli in the coming days in order to ensure that both the dressing rooms and other facilities are suitable for Tuesday’s game.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been instructed that the visiting dressing rooms have not undergone work and therefore should be in similar condition to last season’s visit.

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