LIVERPOOL FC fans have reacted with fury after UEFA hit their Champions League opponents with a stadium ban.

Atletico Madrid have been fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) and handed a three-match stadium ban after crowd trouble and racist abuse during the game against French side Marseille earlier this month.

But this will mean Liverpool fans will have to tear up their travel plans to next Wednesday’s match at enormous cost.

Liverpool FC Official supporters’ Club spokesman Les Lawson said: "It amazes me that UEFA never seem to take fans into consideration.

"This is in the middle of a global credit crunch and fans are expected to just get on with it.

"It’s been two weeks since the Marseille game so why take this decision now, at the last minute.

"We’re expecting about 3,000 fans who will have booked instantly because of the link to Spanish players like Fernando Torres and Luis Garcia. It’s an absolute nightmare."

The Madrid club have until Sunday to lodge an appeal meaning many fans will wait to finalise their travel arrangements until after the weekend.

Jay McKenna, spokesman for Spirit of Shankly, said: "It’s UEFA all over. What gets me is that Atletico Madrid are not being punished here, it us."