Sevilla step up warning to Spurs fans

Spurs face a tough task in the first leg against the holders Sevilla, but local police have made it clear they will not tolerate any supporters showing disrespect to the special event that is Semana Santa in Seville.

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Up to one million people attend the celebrations of Holy Week, where proceedings grow increasingly sombre the closer it gets to Good Friday. Tottenham's match takes place the night before and although the club have sold their allocation of 4,100 tickets, more supporters are travelling in the hope of getting hold of one.

The police are desperate for Tottenham fans not to congregate in the city centre, where representatives from different churches will be marching to the city's cathedral carrying floats depicting Jesus Christ and the events of Easter.

The processions are expected to be observed in silence, but Spurs supporters have made a habit of taking over bars in city centres and singing football chants throughout the UEFA Cup campaign.

Sevilla, who had their request for the date of the game to be changed rejected by UEFA, hope the creation of a fan zone near the stadium specifically for visiting fans will negate the problem, but the city has drafted in hundreds more police to ensure there is no disruption to Holy Week.

Tottenham have played their part by heavily briefing the club's fans, saying: "Access to/from Seville and movement within will be severely restricted and heavily policed - any sign of disrespect for the religious processions will be met by zero tolerance from the police.

"Please note it is considered extremely disrespectful for tourists to wear T-shirts and shorts on these days. Drinking alcohol in the street is strictly prohibited and those that do will receive an immediate €300 fine and possible arrest.

The stringent measures have been met with a mixed reception by supporters intending to go to the game, most of whom will arrive on Thursday and be directly bussed in and out of the fanzone and stadium.

Tottenham executive director Paul Barber is hoping the facilities supplied will ensure the trip is not marred by events off the pitch.

He said: "I hope our fans respect the religious festival especially with the city making us so welcome. Seville have done everything they can to accommodate us. Rather than just say don't go here they have set up somewhere else for the Tottenham fans to go.

"They have created an area in the park which will not just have food and beer, but they will be showing Spurs games from the past.

"Tottenham fans have behaved well on their travels all season and I'm sure this will be the same."

Jol has been dealt a blow ahead of the tie with the news that midfielder Tom Huddlestone is out for at least three weeks, but Hossam Ghaly, Teemu Tainio and Mido are ready to return to the squad.

The Dutchman will be stressing that striker Dimitar Berbatov and defender Pascal Chimbonda must maintain their discipline as they will be suspended for the second leg if they are shown a yellow card.

Meanwhile, Sevilla coach Juande Ramos has admitted he wanted to avoid Tottenham in the draw and fears his side, who are hoping to become the first since Real Madrid in 1986 to retain the trophy, face a tough task to go through.

He said: "Tottenham were one of the teams I was hoping to avoid. I saw them play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and even though they drew, they were 3-1 up in that game, and that's not easy to do at Chelsea.

"The English teams create a great atmosphere in their stadiums and it will be difficult to play the return leg there. Therefore, it is very important we get a good result in the first leg."