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Uefa Cup fans clash with police Uefa Cup fans clash with police
(1 day later)
Rangers supporters in Manchester for the Uefa Cup final clashed with riot police after a big screen in the city centre broke down.Rangers supporters in Manchester for the Uefa Cup final clashed with riot police after a big screen in the city centre broke down.
Officers came under attack after the screen in Piccadilly Gardens failed.Officers came under attack after the screen in Piccadilly Gardens failed.
Forty-two people were arrested in the city, including six who were held after a Russian fan was stabbed inside the City of Manchester stadium.Forty-two people were arrested in the city, including six who were held after a Russian fan was stabbed inside the City of Manchester stadium.
An estimated 100,000 fans descended on the city to see the match, which Zenit St Petersburg won 2-0.An estimated 100,000 fans descended on the city to see the match, which Zenit St Petersburg won 2-0.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said "the finger of blame" pointed at fans, rather than with one of the big screens breaking down.Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said "the finger of blame" pointed at fans, rather than with one of the big screens breaking down.
"I think a small number of Rangers fans have let themselves down and they've let their city down," he said."I think a small number of Rangers fans have let themselves down and they've let their city down," he said.
"I think it would be a real mistake for what was a very very small minority of Rangers fans to say that their behaviour can be excused by a technical problem with a screen."I think it would be a real mistake for what was a very very small minority of Rangers fans to say that their behaviour can be excused by a technical problem with a screen.
"If we are going to put a finger of blame anywhere it has to be with those fans having to take responsibility for their own behaviour.""If we are going to put a finger of blame anywhere it has to be with those fans having to take responsibility for their own behaviour."
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Violence on the streets of Manchester - and the aftermathViolence on the streets of Manchester - and the aftermath
He said there would be a full council inquiry into the failing of the Piccadilly Gardens screen.He said there would be a full council inquiry into the failing of the Piccadilly Gardens screen.
The injured Russian fan was taken to hospital after he was attacked in a seated area of the stadium before the start of the game.The injured Russian fan was taken to hospital after he was attacked in a seated area of the stadium before the start of the game.
He was stabbed in the back but his injuries were not reported to be life threatening.He was stabbed in the back but his injuries were not reported to be life threatening.
Six men, all believed to be Rangers fans, were arrested in connection with the incident, said Greater Manchester Police.Six men, all believed to be Rangers fans, were arrested in connection with the incident, said Greater Manchester Police.
Groups of supporters clashed with police in Manchester city centre, where damage was caused to a bank, bus stops and a sports car which was bounced across a road.Groups of supporters clashed with police in Manchester city centre, where damage was caused to a bank, bus stops and a sports car which was bounced across a road.
A number of fans and at least 15 police officers - and a police dog - were hurt in the clashes.A number of fans and at least 15 police officers - and a police dog - were hurt in the clashes.
Police injuries include a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and cracked ribs. The dog suffered a serious cut to his paw. Fans suffered cuts and at least one was bitten.Police injuries include a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and cracked ribs. The dog suffered a serious cut to his paw. Fans suffered cuts and at least one was bitten.
'Really disappointed''Really disappointed'
Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran said the day had been "largely peaceful" with more than 100,000 fans behaving well in an atmosphere of "carnival and celebration".Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran said the day had been "largely peaceful" with more than 100,000 fans behaving well in an atmosphere of "carnival and celebration".
"But I'm really disappointed that has been spoiled by pockets of disorder that have broken out in the city centre."But I'm really disappointed that has been spoiled by pockets of disorder that have broken out in the city centre.
"A minority of thugs have overshadowed what should have been a great occasion."A minority of thugs have overshadowed what should have been a great occasion.
"I've watched them commit damage, assault my officers and I'm really sickened and disappointed.""I've watched them commit damage, assault my officers and I'm really sickened and disappointed."
Manchester City Council had set up three special fan zones with big screens for ticketless fans to watch the match.Manchester City Council had set up three special fan zones with big screens for ticketless fans to watch the match.
The people of Manchester have been fantastic - but the officials behind this are a total disgrace Rangers fanThe people of Manchester have been fantastic - but the officials behind this are a total disgrace Rangers fan
While screens in Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens did show the game, the one in Piccadilly Gardens failed about 15 minutes before kick-off.While screens in Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens did show the game, the one in Piccadilly Gardens failed about 15 minutes before kick-off.
With the other two fan zones full, supporters were offered buses to take them to a hastily-arranged screen outside the velodrome at Sports City, near to the City of Manchester Stadium.With the other two fan zones full, supporters were offered buses to take them to a hastily-arranged screen outside the velodrome at Sports City, near to the City of Manchester Stadium.
A police spokesperson said a group of fans in Piccadilly Gardens threw bottles at the screen and then at officers in riot gear, injuring some of them.A police spokesperson said a group of fans in Piccadilly Gardens threw bottles at the screen and then at officers in riot gear, injuring some of them.
Questioned on the scale of the police response, ACC Curran said: "At this stage, I do not think there was any heavy-handed policing."Questioned on the scale of the police response, ACC Curran said: "At this stage, I do not think there was any heavy-handed policing."
She confirmed there were 1,500 officers involved in the security operation, and 300 extra police were drafted in to tackle incidents of violence.She confirmed there were 1,500 officers involved in the security operation, and 300 extra police were drafted in to tackle incidents of violence.
Manchester City Council said it would be "holding a full inquiry" into the screen problems.Manchester City Council said it would be "holding a full inquiry" into the screen problems.
An extra 300 police were drafted in to tackle disorderAn extra 300 police were drafted in to tackle disorder
But fans who had been waiting in Piccadilly Gardens all day were unimpressed.But fans who had been waiting in Piccadilly Gardens all day were unimpressed.
One said: "This is absolutely ridiculous - there's Rangers fans throwing bottles and cans at each other because the game's not on.One said: "This is absolutely ridiculous - there's Rangers fans throwing bottles and cans at each other because the game's not on.
"We've been sat here since 12 o'clock waiting on the game coming on. The coverage started at seven o'clock and then five minutes later the game's off."We've been sat here since 12 o'clock waiting on the game coming on. The coverage started at seven o'clock and then five minutes later the game's off.
"It's an absolute shambles, shame on Manchester, shame on Manchester - it's let the country down.""It's an absolute shambles, shame on Manchester, shame on Manchester - it's let the country down."
Another supporter added: "The people of Manchester have been fantastic - but the officials behind this are a total disgrace.Another supporter added: "The people of Manchester have been fantastic - but the officials behind this are a total disgrace.
"Some people are really angry. They've spent a lot of money - maybe £4,000 to £5,000 - to come down here for this.""Some people are really angry. They've spent a lot of money - maybe £4,000 to £5,000 - to come down here for this."

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