Blatter does not believe Lens' Stade Felix-Bollaert, the venue where United fans were crushed against metal fences during the match, is fit to host a Champions League game.

But the presidents of Lens and Lille, two rival clubs from the north of France, today joined forces and rounded on the FIFA supremo.

They claim his remarks are "irresponsible", have no foundation and insist UEFA gave the go-ahead for the match to take place at the Bollaert.

Lens president Gervais Martel said: "This position is scandalous. A number of European matches have been organised at the Bollaert since 1998.

"Our enclosure fits perfectly with the UEFA regulations and there has never been the slightest incident until English supporters provoked one with fake tickets.

"I am going to immediately send a letter to UEFA president Michel Platini, as well as to Sepp Blatter, to ask him for his explanations and to invite him to Lens.

"It is irresponsible on his part to make such remarks."

Lille president Michel Seydoux added: "I am in total agreement with Gervais Martel.

"The Bollaert is allowed [to be used] for competition, full stop. It is officially ratified.

"UEFA's security commission validated three times the decision to hold Lille-Manchester United in Lens.

"We, and especially Lens, have hosted a large number of European games without any problems."

Lille have chosen to play their home matches in this season's Champions League at the Bollaert because their own stadium does not comply with UEFA tournament regulations.

Seydoux added: "We have respected the rules: the Stadium Nord isn't officially ratified, so we are not playing there."

Lille are blaming United for last week's crowd problems, claiming their early distribution of tickets allowed high-quality fakes to be produced.

Blatter said yesterday: "I cannot understand that those who organise the Champions League accept a stadium like Lens' to play such a match.

"In Lens, there are fences still, and it should not be permitted to play Champions League matches in such a stadium."

Meanwhile, UEFA are tomorrow likely to reject an appeal against their decision to allow Ryan Giggs' goal in the 1-0 win for United to stand.

Lille claim the quickly-taken free-kick should not have been allowed to stand but UEFA rejected their protest last week, saying it had been entirely within the laws of the game.

The second leg of the last-16 tie takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday.