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Uefa Cup fans clash with police | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A number of Rangers supporters in Manchester for the Uefa Cup final have 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. | |
Around 30 people were arrested in the city, including six held after a Russian fan was stabbed outside the City of Manchester stadium. | |
An estimated 100,000 fans descended on the city to see the match, which Zenit St Petersburg eventually won 2-0. | |
The injured Russian fan was taken to hospital after being attacked outside the stadium before the game. | |
He was stabbed in the back but his injuries were reported as non-life threatening. | |
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said six men, all believed to be Rangers fans, had been arrested in connection with the incident. | Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said six men, all believed to be Rangers fans, had been arrested in connection with the incident. |
The vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably GMP spokesperson | |
There were further reports after the game of a group of supporters clashing 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. | |
Manchester City Council had set up three special fan zones with big screens for ticketless fans to watch the match. | |
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. | |
Bottles thrown | |
A GMP spokesperson said: "Many fans made their way to the velodrome to watch the remainder of the game, however, a significant minority remained in Piccadilly Gardens where they began to cause disruption. | |
"They started to directly confront officers and began to throw bottles. | |
"In order to retain order, tactical aid officers went into the fan zone to disperse the remaining fans. | |
"A number of people were arrested during the disorder at Piccadilly. A number of people, including police officers, were injured as officers brought the disorder under control." | |
However, the spokesperson said "the vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably and came to Manchester clearly intent on enjoying the carnival atmosphere". | |
'Total disgrace' | |
Manchester City Council said it would be "holding a full inquiry" into the screen problems. | |
But fans who had been waiting in Piccadilly Gardens all day were unimpressed. | |
One said: "This is absolutely ridiculous - there's Rangers fans throwing balls and cans at each other because the game's not on. | One said: "This is absolutely ridiculous - there's Rangers fans throwing balls 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." |