Rangers fans in UEFA Cup violence
UEFA probe after final riot
Published:
AN INQUIRY was under way today after Rangers fans went on a UEFA Cup final rampage in Manchester.
One fan was stabbed and police made 42 arrests in hours of violence in Manchester city centre.
It came during and after the Glasgow club’s 2-0 defeat to Russia’s Zenit St Petersburg.
Fifteen police officers, as well as a police dog, were left nursing a catalogue of injuries as hundreds of riot police and fans fought running battles.
One senior officer was hit so hard his electronic earpiece was left embedded in his head and had to be removed by doctors.
Another policeman was bottled over the head and another lost his front teeth after being head-butted.
Other injuries included bruised and cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a broken finger and arm and cuts needing stitches.
Ambulance crews also came under attack and two paramedics were reportedly also injured.
Five men arrested for wounding with intent on suspicion of stabbing a rival Russian fan have been released.
Sixteen men were today under arrest for public order offences, four for assault and four for violent disorder and affray.
There were further arrests for throwing missiles, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
Some were due to appear in court this afternoon – if they had sobered up in time.
The match commander, Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran said the response was “appropriate”.
She said: “I saw officers chased down a street by a baying mob of around 200 people. We had to do something.”
A lone police officer was tripped up and stamped on as he faced up to hundreds of Rangers fans, video footage showed today.
The male officer is punched before one of the mob trips him up and he falls to the ground.
He is then set upon by a gang of about 20 fans who kick and stamp on him on the ground.
He eventually makes his escape as a stream of fans proceeds onwards, several with arms aloft in celebration.
Greater Manchester Police said the officer suffered a broken arm and was recovering from his injuries.
UEFA have launched an investigation and have the power to ban Rangers from all European competitions, as they did when fans battled with police in Barcelona after their European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in 1972.
Publicly, Manchester council promised a warm welcome, with a relaxed attitude to fans drinking on the street – normally outlawed – and three fan zones with big screens. But privately it is known city officials wanted “anyone but Rangers” to get through to the final.
Police chiefs said they were left “sickened and disappointed” with the behaviour of some fans.
Violence broke out at around 7.30pm and the trouble continued for around five hours. Hundreds of Rangers fans went on the rampage when a big screen showing the match in the city’s Piccadilly Gardens failed to work.
Rangers fans blamed the local council’s “shambolic” organisation, but one said the behaviour of his fellow supporters left him “ashamed to be a Scotsman”.
Rangers issued a statement today condemning the behaviour of “a small minority” of fans.
WARNING: Parts of the videos, below, contain bad language and violence.
