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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Fans call for homecoming parade | Fans call for homecoming parade |
| (8 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 insist that no parade can be held until the summer citing a "serious risk to public safety" if it was held this week. | |
| But fans have criticised the decision, and have the support of some United players and local politicians. | But fans have criticised the decision, and have the support of some United players and local politicians. |
| Supporter Dave Wilson said a summer parade would be a "non-event". | Supporter Dave Wilson said a summer parade would be a "non-event". |
| In Portsmouth, tens of thousands of people lined the city's streets as the FA Cup winners returned home. Police made one arrest. | In Portsmouth, tens of thousands of people lined the city's streets as the FA Cup winners returned home. Police made one arrest. |
| Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, told BBC Five Live: "If Hampshire police can police that celebration of a quarter of a million people, then it's just completely unacceptable for Greater Manchester police to say they're not up to the job. | Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, told BBC Five Live: "If Hampshire police can police that celebration of a quarter of a million people, then it's just completely unacceptable for Greater Manchester police to say they're not up to the job. |
| "Quite frankly, if they're not up to the job, then they should bring in somebody else who can do it." | "Quite frankly, if they're not up to the job, then they should bring in somebody else who can do it." |
| 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 |
| United defender Nemanja Vidic said some players were disappointed not to be able to celebrate with supporters. | United defender Nemanja Vidic said some players were disappointed not to be able to celebrate with supporters. |
| Speaking in Moscow, he said: "This is a good moment to celebrate with fans, to say hi to them, to say thank you for what they did for us all year; they give us the big support." | Speaking in Moscow, he said: "This is a good moment to celebrate with fans, to say hi to them, to say thank you for what they did for us all year; they give us the big support." |
| Mr Wilson was one of dozens of supporters who contacted the BBC Manchester website to criticise the police stance. | Mr Wilson was one of dozens of supporters who contacted the BBC Manchester website to criticise the police stance. |
| 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." |
| 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. |
| The fan, known only as Nicola, said: "The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can organise celebrations without any trouble." | The fan, known only as Nicola, said: "The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can organise celebrations without any trouble." |
| Thousands of people celebrated in Manchester in 1999 | Thousands of people celebrated in Manchester in 1999 |
| The Chief Executive of Manchester United, David Gill, also blamed the trouble caused in Manchester city centre after Rangers' defeat in the UEFA Cup. | 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. | 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. |
| "No doubt we will celebrate with our fans over the course of the summer months, we hope." | "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. | 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. | 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' | 'Crowd crush' |
| He also referred to the last homecoming event, which was held when Manchester United won the treble in 1999. | 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 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 do whatever we need to do." | "We will do whatever we need to do." |