Alania Vladikavkaz stadium fails UEFA certification for Europa League

UEFA have forbidden Russian Cup winners Alania to host their Europa League matches at their home stadium in Vladikavkaz, RIA Novosti reported citing a source in the UEFA.

The Russian club failed to remove the shortcomings of the arena, identified by the UEFA officials during their first visit to Vladikavkaz.

Valery Gazzaev, Alania president and former CSKA Moscow, said he regretted the decision of the European football authorities. «It’s only now that I heard the information that our stadium has failed to pass UEFA certification. Naturally, we are disappointed by this decision because we wanted our fans to see the European cups matches with their own eyes. In my opinion, we have made all the required preparations at the stadium,» Gazzaev stated.

It should be noted that Alania’s reserve stadium for the Europa League is Arena Khimki located in Moscow Oblast.