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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fans call for homecoming parade | Fans call for homecoming parade |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Manchester United fans are calling for a homecoming victory parade after the club's win against Chelsea in the Champions League final. | Manchester United fans are calling for a homecoming victory parade after the club's win against Chelsea in the Champions League final. |
| Greater Manchester Police announced last week that a parade would be postponed until the summer, a decision they were standing by on Thursday. | Greater Manchester Police announced last week that a parade would be postponed until the summer, a decision they were standing by on Thursday. |
| They said a parade would be disruptive and a "serious risk to public safety". | They said a parade would be disruptive and a "serious risk to public safety". |
| United fan Dave Wilson, who contacted the BBC website, said a parade later in the year would be a "non-event". | United fan Dave Wilson, who contacted the BBC website, said a parade later in the year would be a "non-event". |
| He said: "The real football fans have lost out to the hooligans again, a victory parade weeks after the event is a non-event. | He said: "The real football fans have lost out to the hooligans again, a victory parade weeks after the event is a non-event. |
| "Maybe the authorities should also move things like New Year celebrations to a more suitable date for them." | "Maybe the authorities should also move things like New Year celebrations to a more suitable date for them." |
| Another fan blamed Glasgow Rangers fans, who clashed with police after they lost the Uefa Cup final in Manchester last week. | Another fan blamed Glasgow Rangers fans, who clashed with police after they lost the Uefa Cup final in Manchester last week. |
| We will do whatever we need to do Manchester City Council Leader Richard Leese | We will do whatever we need to do Manchester City Council Leader Richard Leese |
| The fan, called Nicola, said: "It is not fair to wait until the summer, fans want to celebrate now! | The fan, called Nicola, said: "It is not fair to wait until the summer, fans want to celebrate now! |
| "The Rangers fans have ruined it for us in our own city, it is truly unfair. | "The Rangers fans have ruined it for us in our own city, it is truly unfair. |
| "The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can orgainse celebrations without any trouble." | "The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can orgainse celebrations without any trouble." |
| The Chief Executive of Manchester United, David Gill, also blamed the trouble caused in Manchester city centre after Rangers' defeat in the UEFA Cup. | |
| He said: "Well we looked at it and we were planning for that and then unfortunately some of the issues that came out of the UEFA cup game a week last wednesday, meant that, in discussions with the two councils and GMP it was felt it was not appropriate to hold one. | |
| Thousands of people celebrated in Manchester in 1999 | |
| "No doubt we will celebrate with our fans over the course of the summer months, we hope." | |
| Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), maintained the parade was off over safety concerns. | |
| He said: "GMP's primary concern is the safety of the people of Greater Manchester and the fans of the club. | |
| "It is right and fitting that Manchester United's fans should have the chance to celebrate the club's success this year in the event of a win on Wednesday, but they should do this in safety." | "It is right and fitting that Manchester United's fans should have the chance to celebrate the club's success this year in the event of a win on Wednesday, but they should do this in safety." |
| 'Crowd crush' | |
| He also referred to the last homecoming event, which was held when Manchester United won the treble in 1999. He said there were serious safety issues raised and risks of a crowd crush. | He also referred to the last homecoming event, which was held when Manchester United won the treble in 1999. He said there were serious safety issues raised and risks of a crowd crush. |
| "Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world and we believe any event would attract more people than in 1999," he said. | "Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world and we believe any event would attract more people than in 1999," he said. |
| "We have agreed to work towards an event in the summer where those celebrations could take place in safety." | "We have agreed to work towards an event in the summer where those celebrations could take place in safety." |
| Manchester and Trafford councils, who were involved in talks with police, have said they would support a parade. | Manchester and Trafford councils, who were involved in talks with police, have said they would support a parade. |
| Writing on his blog, the leader of Manchester City Council Richard Leese said they had made it clear that it was a decision for Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police. | Writing on his blog, the leader of Manchester City Council Richard Leese said they had made it clear that it was a decision for Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police. |
| He said: "If Manchester United wants a parade, then we are quite happy to do our bit. | He said: "If Manchester United wants a parade, then we are quite happy to do our bit. |
| "We will have to close roads, put up some barriers and clean up afterwards. There is some cost involved but there are plenty of wide roads for a parade and it's not a major problem for us. | "We will have to close roads, put up some barriers and clean up afterwards. There is some cost involved but there are plenty of wide roads for a parade and it's not a major problem for us. |
| "We will do whatever we need to do." | "We will do whatever we need to do." |