§ 53. Mr. Barry PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had concerning the re-entry into European football competitions of English football clubs.
§ Mr. Robert AtkinsI had meetings with both the president and vice-president of UEFA in May. I have also had discussions with the chairman of the Football Association and the chairmen of Manchester United and Aston Villa. On 10 June, I submitted a report to UEFA covering the behaviour of spectators during the 1989–90 domestic season and the World Cup finals in Italy.
I indicated to the president of UEFA that the Government had withdrawn their objections to the participation by English clubs in European competitions. 355W Taking into account our views, UEFA decided to admit Manchester United to the European cup winners cup and Aston Villa to the UEFA cup next season.