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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." |
Violence on the streets of Manchester - and the aftermath | Violence 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 fan | The 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 disorder | An 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." |