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Study: Rangers violence started hours before match

17/06/2008

A report into the appalling behaviour of Rangers fans at the Uefa Cup Final in Manchester has found evidence of anti-social behaviour hours before the match kicked off.

In fact, eight hours before clashes between Rangers fans and police, entertainers on the Piccadilly stage were struck by missiles.

There was also fighting between fans and intimidating behaviour towards merchandise staff, while acts of theft and vandalism were also reported.

"At 11:30am there was the first report of antisocial behaviour – missiles being thrown at the stage and the first reported fight between fans," the report stated.

"The first act on stage lasted only 20 minutes out of the 45 minutes scheduled because they were pelted with cans and coins."

The study goes on to recommend that Piccadilly Gardens should not host such an event in the future.

CCTV footage of the violence shows one incident in which a police officer was tripped up and attacked by thugs as he lay on the floor.