Liverpool supporters have reacted angrily to Uefa's decision to move the Champions League match with Atletico Madrid to a neutral venue, eight days before the game is due to take place

Uefa, football’s governing body in Europe, has banned Atlético from playing their next two European matches at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, their home ground, and within 300 kilometres (about 186 miles) of the Spanish capital after the club were found guilty of crowd trouble and organisational errors during their previous Champions League game against Marseilles on October 1.

However, the timing of the decision has left the 3,000 Liverpool supporters who had been expected to travel to Spain, facing enormous costs as they attempt to alter their plans.

Les Lawson, a spokesman for the official supporters’ club, 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 Marseilles 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 appealed the decision, although it seems unlikely Uefa will back down. Jay McKenna, spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly group, said: "It’s Uefa all over. What gets me is that Atletico Madrid are not being punished here, it us."

Richie Pedder, chairman of the Liverpool Supporters' Club, says the club should help to address any potential travel problems caused by the decision.

"The hope is that the club will put out a statement looking at those issues," Pedder said. "We don't want them waiting a day or two to decide what to do. All Liverpool fans will want to know what is going to happen should the game be switched as soon as possible and will want things put in motion."

"It is an utterly ridiculous decision so late in the day. Don't forget this is Torres's return to Atletico and his former home ground,and a lot of people will have booked to see the match on the strength of that. Now it's been taken away and that is another added disappointment."

Club message boards have been flooded with angry fans, who while supporting Uefa's stand against racism are opposed to the timing of the decision. On one forum, Purescousemachine, said: "Don't get me wrong, it's good to see Uefa take action against racism, but in terms of the decision to move the match then once again football fans get treated like dirt."

Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, has already complained at the "disruption" caused to supporters. "To say the decision is a bit late in the day, is to put it mildly," he said. "We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements.

"If the match is played at least 300km from Madrid, it will cause major disruption, inconvenience and large additional expense for our fans.

"Uefa have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game."