Champions League ties get go-ahead despite ash

THIS week's Champions League semi-finals are to go ahead as planned, despite widespread travel disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud enveloping Europe.

A number of sporting events were affected over the weekend, and there were fears that the showpiece football matches would have to be postponed.

But Barcelona and Lyon have changed their travel arrangements to journey by coach for their respective first legs against Inter Milan tomorrow night and Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona had originally planned to fly to Milan today but left by coach in mid-afternoon yesterday, spending the night in the French city of Cannes before continuing on to Milan today – an overall trip of around 1,000 kilometres.

Lyon will also travel by road to face Bayern at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

Uefa confirmed yesterday that the show would go on and said a decision would be taken "in the coming days" about whether Thursday's two Europa League semi-finals between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool in Spain, and Hamburg and Fulham in Germany would go ahead as planned.

Celtic's friendly match against AZ Alkmaar, scheduled for Parkhead on Wednesday night, could also be in doubt.

Alkmaar spokesman Daan Schippers said: "We will have to wait to see if the flight restrictions are lifted, but it doesn't look promising at the moment.

"I don't think we would travel to the game on a ferry and they will all be full anyway.

"We will be getting in contact with Celtic to see what the situation is, but obviously, if we cannot travel to Scotland, then the game is off."