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Injured fans vent anger at police Injured fans vent anger at police
(30 minutes later)
Bloodied and bruised supporters began arriving back from Manchester United's Champions League clash in Rome speaking of their anger at Italian police. Bloodied and bruised fans arriving back from Manchester United's Champions League clash in Rome have spoken of their anger at Italian police.
At least 11 United fans were taken to hospital, three with stab wounds, and a number were arrested following clashes with police and Roma fans on Wednesday.At least 11 United fans were taken to hospital, three with stab wounds, and a number were arrested following clashes with police and Roma fans on Wednesday.
Some supporters arriving at Manchester Airport were bandaged and others had visible head wounds.Some supporters arriving at Manchester Airport were bandaged and others had visible head wounds.
"The police were beyond control," said one eye witness. "The police were beyond control," said one eye-witness.
During the game, which Roma won 2-1, both sets of fans could be seen throwing missiles at each other.During the game, which Roma won 2-1, both sets of fans could be seen throwing missiles at each other.
Uefa has announced an investigation into the crowd trouble at the Stadio Olimpico, although United fans claimed it was Italian police who made the situation worse.Uefa has announced an investigation into the crowd trouble at the Stadio Olimpico, although United fans claimed it was Italian police who made the situation worse.
We didn't expect to be battered by the Italian police for doing nothing Manchester United fan Fans in hospital after violenceWe didn't expect to be battered by the Italian police for doing nothing Manchester United fan Fans in hospital after violence
One man said: "We were told there was going to be trouble outside the ground so we were told to be careful - as we were.One man said: "We were told there was going to be trouble outside the ground so we were told to be careful - as we were.
"We didn't expect to be battered by the Italian police for doing nothing.""We didn't expect to be battered by the Italian police for doing nothing."
Businessman Stephen Fitzsimons, 53, was knifed in the groin as he made his way to the ground with three friends. Businessman Stephen Fitzsimons, 53, from Stretford, Greater Manchester, was knifed in the groin as he made his way to the ground with three friends.
He was taken to hospital and twice underwent emergency surgery to control his bleeding.He was taken to hospital and twice underwent emergency surgery to control his bleeding.
His sister-in-law, Patricia, 49, told BBC Five Live: They were ambushed by Roma fans and three of them, including Stephen, were stabbed - one of them is quite poorly. Mr Fitzsimons, who hopes to be released from hospital on Saturday, told BBC Radio Manchester: "No police have been to see me... it's disgusting.
"They were just going to watch a football match. They are nice people." "The doctor said I was very lucky to be alive - I was 2cm away from being dead."
Some witnesses inside the ground spoke of terrified women and children running away from the police during one baton charge, while a disabled man was knocked out of his wheelchair. Some witnesses inside the ground spoke of terrified women and children running away from the police during one baton charge, while a disabled man was reportedly knocked out of his wheelchair.
Daughter 'scared'
Martin Davey, who was with his daughter Kat just 20m away from the trouble, said: "The police were beyond control.
"Their senior officers were trying to pull them back but they just went wild. They were using their batons and kicking people. It was just mayhem."
His daughter said she did not want to return to the country, adding: "I was terrified, really scared. You could sense the atmosphere as soon as you entered the ground."
BBC correspondent Christian Fraser, who was in the stadium, said trouble flared after Roma fans ran towards the perspex partition which separated the supporters.
I've been following United for 30 years across Europe and I've never seen anything like it Steve Morris, from Stretford Uefa to investigate Rome violenceI've been following United for 30 years across Europe and I've never seen anything like it Steve Morris, from Stretford Uefa to investigate Rome violence
BBC correspondent Christian Fraser, who was in the stadium, said trouble flared after Roma fans ran towards the perspex partition which separated the supporters.
He said Manchester United fans reacted and the police moved in with their batons in a response that was "at best robust and in some cases some officers went completely over the top".He said Manchester United fans reacted and the police moved in with their batons in a response that was "at best robust and in some cases some officers went completely over the top".
The view was supported by Manchester United fan Debbie Robertson, from Rusholme, who told BBC Five Live that some police actually shielded her from their over-zealous colleagues.The view was supported by Manchester United fan Debbie Robertson, from Rusholme, who told BBC Five Live that some police actually shielded her from their over-zealous colleagues.
"There was four or five police and they were coming towards me and my husband with the helmets and their batons," she said."There was four or five police and they were coming towards me and my husband with the helmets and their batons," she said.
"We were sort of pinned against a perspex panel, so he (the officer) started to shield us and say, 'You'd better move somewhere else' but there wasn't really anywhere else to move to.""We were sort of pinned against a perspex panel, so he (the officer) started to shield us and say, 'You'd better move somewhere else' but there wasn't really anywhere else to move to."
'Negative climate'
Another man, who arrived back in the arrivals lounge with dried blood still visible on a head wound, blamed the Roma fans for the trouble.Another man, who arrived back in the arrivals lounge with dried blood still visible on a head wound, blamed the Roma fans for the trouble.
'Targeted again'
"The away fans started throwing bottles and coins and the police just waded in with their truncheons," he said,"The away fans started throwing bottles and coins and the police just waded in with their truncheons," he said,
"They [the police] ill-treated us yet again.""They [the police] ill-treated us yet again."
Manchester United fans also experienced problems with police during their last visit to Europe against Lille in Lens, France.Manchester United fans also experienced problems with police during their last visit to Europe against Lille in Lens, France.
Prior to Wednesday night's game, Rome's mayor Walter Veltroni said United's warning to its fans about the violence threat was "dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate".Prior to Wednesday night's game, Rome's mayor Walter Veltroni said United's warning to its fans about the violence threat was "dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate".
But according to eye witness accounts streaming into the BBC, most of the blame is being placed with the Italian authorities.
Steve Morris, from Stretford, told BBC Five Live that he had returned from Italy feeling "lucky to be alive".
"I've been following United for 30 years across Europe and I've never seen anything like it," he said.
"We were ambushed at virtually every turn by knife-wielding ultras. The Italian police just stood and watched us being attacked.
"When the English did retaliate they waded in with batons, hitting everyone in sight. Enough is enough."
A statement released by Manchester United on Thursday said: "There were clearly some very disturbing scenes in the stadium last night.A statement released by Manchester United on Thursday said: "There were clearly some very disturbing scenes in the stadium last night.
"Until we have had chance to discuss the situation with the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian authorities and to understand the cause, it would be inappropriate to comment.""Until we have had chance to discuss the situation with the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian authorities and to understand the cause, it would be inappropriate to comment."