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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 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 generationNext 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.