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City says sorry for Rangers delay | City says sorry for Rangers delay |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A leading councillor in Manchester has apologised to Rangers fans for delays in providing areas for ticketless fans to watch the Uefa cup final. | A leading councillor in Manchester has apologised to Rangers fans for delays in providing areas for ticketless fans to watch the Uefa cup final. |
Up to 100,000 Rangers fans are expected in the city on Wednesday for the match against FC Zenit St Petersburg. | Up to 100,000 Rangers fans are expected in the city on Wednesday for the match against FC Zenit St Petersburg. |
Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesman, said everyone was welcome to watch the "historic" game in the city. | Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesman, said everyone was welcome to watch the "historic" game in the city. |
He said it would be a "tight squeeze" to fit everyone into the three fans' areas but he was sure it was possible. | He said it would be a "tight squeeze" to fit everyone into the three fans' areas but he was sure it was possible. |
'Historic occasion' | 'Historic occasion' |
There had been suggestions that fans without tickets should stay away. | There had been suggestions that fans without tickets should stay away. |
Mr Karney said: "The reality in modern football - and Manchester is a great footballing city and Mancunians go abroad without tickets - is that the football authorities always say don't come without a ticket. | Mr Karney said: "The reality in modern football - and Manchester is a great footballing city and Mancunians go abroad without tickets - is that the football authorities always say don't come without a ticket. |
"Obviously this is a fantastic historic occasion and people are very welcome." | "Obviously this is a fantastic historic occasion and people are very welcome." |
Mr Karney said delays with the big screens for ticketless fans had been down to safety and security concerns. | Mr Karney said delays with the big screens for ticketless fans had been down to safety and security concerns. |
Our main priority is make sure all the fans, particularly the Rangers fans who are coming in great multitudes, have a fantastic time but everyone goes home safely Pat KarneyCouncil spokesman class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/05/07/140508_uefa_cup_final_feature.shtml">What's on offer for fans | |
He said three fan zones with big screens and entertainment would be set up in Albert Square, the open area in front of Manchester's town hall, Piccadilly Gardens and Cathedral Gardens - all in the city centre. | He said three fan zones with big screens and entertainment would be set up in Albert Square, the open area in front of Manchester's town hall, Piccadilly Gardens and Cathedral Gardens - all in the city centre. |
The Albert Square site can hold 12,000 fans. | The Albert Square site can hold 12,000 fans. |
Mr Karney apologised to Rangers fans for giving the impression they were not welcome in the city without a ticket and for the delays putting arrangements in place. | Mr Karney apologised to Rangers fans for giving the impression they were not welcome in the city without a ticket and for the delays putting arrangements in place. |
He said: "We had a number of problems in the World Cup about screens, crowds and alcohol, like every other city had, and so we had to go through all that in meticulous detail. | He said: "We had a number of problems in the World Cup about screens, crowds and alcohol, like every other city had, and so we had to go through all that in meticulous detail. |
"Our main priority is make sure all the fans, particularly the Rangers fans who are coming in great multitudes, have a fantastic time but everyone goes home safely." | "Our main priority is make sure all the fans, particularly the Rangers fans who are coming in great multitudes, have a fantastic time but everyone goes home safely." |
Next generation | Next generation |
The club plays FC Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester stadium on Wednesday. | The club plays FC Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester stadium on Wednesday. |
First Minister Alex Salmond has said he would be at the game. | First Minister Alex Salmond has said he would be at the game. |
He said: "As first minister, I will be cheering on Rangers from the stands in Manchester. | He said: "As first minister, I will be cheering on Rangers from the stands in Manchester. |
"If Rangers can triumph on Wednesday evening it will be a fantastic boost for the club, for Scottish football and an inspiration to the next generation of Scottish football stars." | "If Rangers can triumph on Wednesday evening it will be a fantastic boost for the club, for Scottish football and an inspiration to the next generation of Scottish football stars." |
British Transport Police reminded fans that alcohol would not be allowed, or sold, on train services between Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley and Preston or Manchester on match day. | British Transport Police reminded fans that alcohol would not be allowed, or sold, on train services between Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley and Preston or Manchester on match day. |
The same arrangement will be in place on Tuesday and Thursday, a spokesman said. | The same arrangement will be in place on Tuesday and Thursday, a spokesman said. |