Atletico president worries over Marseille match

MADRID // Atletico Madrid's president is worried that the jailing of a Marseille fan could put the Spanish club at risk during next week's Champions League match. A Spanish court sentenced Santos Mirasierra to three-and-a-half years in prison on Friday for attacking a police officer during the Marseille's Champions League match at the Vicente Calderón stadium in October. The two clubs meet again at Marseille's Velodrome on Wednesday.

"I'm not scared, what I am is worried," Enrique Cerezo said to the Marca sports daily. "We're going to be protected by the police always. We're going there to play a game and not to be put on trial." Fearing more fan violence, Atletico plans to travel to the game just hours before kick-off and return immediately afterward. The Spanish club says it has received threatening e-mails from French fans warning of retaliation if Mirasierra was convicted.

"We can't do anything," Cerezo said. "Atletico, in all moments, has stayed on the sidelines. We have nothing to do with this matter. At no time did we ever ask for punishment. It's a Spanish justice matter." *AP