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United blamed for Rome violence Reid voices football police worry
(about 1 hour later)
Manchester United and its fans were to blame for clashes with police in Rome, the city's chief of police has claimed. Home Secretary John Reid has questioned the way that Italian and Spanish police handled clashes involving British football supporters this week.
Achille Serra showed a press conference footage of English supporters smashing seats and spitting at officers. He said there were "questions to ask" after baton-wielding officers fought with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans in Rome and Seville.
Police had been accused by Manchester United of handing out "indiscriminate beatings" during the Champions League game against Roma. But Rome's police chief blamed violence in the city on United and its fans.
Three Manchester United fans have been banned from every stadium in Italy, according to reports. Achille Serra produced a film showing supporters apparently smashing seats and spitting at officers.
Robust defenceRobust defence
Images of baton-wielding police fighting with supporters at Rome's Stadio Olimpico during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat on Wednesday evening had led to calls from UK ministers for answers from Italian authorities. Mr Reid said he would be studying reports from the Metropolitan police as well as from football authorities and British consuls.
He added: "I think that anyone who saw some of these incidents would at least have questions to ask about how they were handled, and we have asked those questions."
Tottenham have claimed that Spanish police hit a disabled fan during Thursday's Uefa Cup tie in Seville.
Images of police fighting with supporters during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat by Roma on Wednesday evening had led to earlier calls from UK ministers for answers from Italian authorities.
Police had been accused by Manchester United of handing out "indiscriminate beatings" during the Champions League game against Roma.
Some fans said they were struck by officers as they pleaded for medical help Christian FraserBBC News Scenes on a night to forgetSome fans said they were struck by officers as they pleaded for medical help Christian FraserBBC News Scenes on a night to forget
But Mr Serra used Friday's press conference to launch a robust defence of the force's conduct. But Mr Serra, Rome's chief of police, used a press conference on Friday to launch a robust defence of the force's conduct.
He presented journalists with seven minutes of CCTV footage which showed Manchester United supporters acting aggressively, with a number of ringleaders urging other fans forward.He presented journalists with seven minutes of CCTV footage which showed Manchester United supporters acting aggressively, with a number of ringleaders urging other fans forward.
Individual fans were picked out by Mr Serra, including one man - apparently the same as one who had been pictured in the UK media bleeding from the head - throwing objects.Individual fans were picked out by Mr Serra, including one man - apparently the same as one who had been pictured in the UK media bleeding from the head - throwing objects.
However, the BBC's Christian Fraser, who attended the press conference, said the footage was too grainy to identify the man.However, the BBC's Christian Fraser, who attended the press conference, said the footage was too grainy to identify the man.
The police chief said that after English fans rushed at stadium staff, police "were forced to intervene to avoid a collision between the two violent groups from both teams, a collision which would have been really hard to handle." 'Hotheads'
Mr Serra added that 300 United supporters had rampaged through the streets of Rome, vandalising bars, throwing bottles and clashing with rival fans.Mr Serra added that 300 United supporters had rampaged through the streets of Rome, vandalising bars, throwing bottles and clashing with rival fans.
He blamed Manchester United for issuing a letter which warned fans that they might be attacked in Rome. A letter issued by Manchester United which warned fans that they might be attacked in Rome was blamed by Mr Serra for inciting trouble.
That, he said, incited hotheads among Roma fans and sparked the evening's violence. He said: he was worried that this would "incite the Roma hotheads who are not very well educated."
He also waved photographs of clashes involving Tottenham Hotspur fans in Seville on Thursday night, and said the complaint from the British was the same. He also waved photographs of clashes involving Tottenham fans in Seville, and said the complaint from the British was the same.
Face trial
Following the incidents, three English fans have been banned from football stadia in Italy for three years, local media reported.Following the incidents, three English fans have been banned from football stadia in Italy for three years, local media reported.
They have been barred under Italian "Daspo" laws and accused of violence against state employees.
The three fans have been released from custody but will face trial in November, an Italian newspaper said. The reports could not immediately be confirmed.The three fans have been released from custody but will face trial in November, an Italian newspaper said. The reports could not immediately be confirmed.
Uefa is to investigate the trouble involving many fans from both sides and campaign group Amnesty International backed calls for an inquiry.Uefa is to investigate the trouble involving many fans from both sides and campaign group Amnesty International backed calls for an inquiry.
In February the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) suspended all matches after a policeman was killed at a Serie A game between Catania and Palermo. In February the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) suspended all matches after a policeman was killed at a game between Catania and Palermo.
Three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others hurt during fights with Roma fans at an Uefa Cup quarter-final last year. Three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others hurt during fights with Roma fans at a Uefa Cup quarter-final last year.