UEFA will allow Belgian club Genk to broadcast messages of support before a Europa League game for workers from the town's Ford Motor Co. factory, which will soon close.
Genk officials wanted players to wear black armbands against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, after Ford announced the 4,500-employee plant will close within two years because of falling sales in Europe.
UEFA says the issue was discussed by team and match officials, and ''the club may use the video board and/or public announcement system for any messages related to this before kick-off.''
Workers protested Thursday by burning cars at the gates of the 50-year-old factory, which makes the Mondeo and Galaxy models.
Ford is a sponsor of UEFA's Champions League competition, but not the second-tier Europa League.
