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Police slam "mindless thuggery" of Rangers fans

15/05/2008

Greater Manchester police have hit out at the "mindless thuggery" of the Rangers fans involved in violent scenes surrounding the Uefa Cup final last night.

A total of 42 arrests were made after clashes between police and supporters in and around Manchester city centre following last night's match.

Eleven Rangers fans, all men, have been charged with criminal offences. Seven charged with public order offences, one with assault, one with being drunk in a sports ground and one with throwing a missile.

A further 11 Rangers fans were released on bail pending further inquiries, 12 were cautioned and seven men, including one Zenit St Petersburg fan, were released without charge.

Rangers lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in a match that attracted tens of thousands more fans than had tickets to the game due to the proximity between Glasgow and Manchester.

Ugly scenes prompted by a giant screen in Piccadilly Gardens failing shortly before kickoff were captured on CCTV cameras stationed throughout the city streets.

The footage shows a group of "yobs" vandalising a car, as well as a "violent gang" pursuing police officers, before one falls to the ground and is punched and kicked.

He later made his escape, although a police spokesperson confirmed he had suffered a broken arm in the attack.

Assistant chief constable Justine Curran said she was "completely satisfied" the police reaction to the trouble "was both necessary and proportionate".

And she denied allegations from some fans that there was insufficient provision made for the number of people in the city for the game.

"I am sure the majority of Rangers fans will be as disappointed as we are that this event was marred by this unnecessary and unacceptable behaviour by a small number of fans," Ms Curran stated.

"My officers acted professionally, swiftly and decisively to bring this trouble under control and I want to pay tribute to their actions.

"We have worked with the council and other agencies for a year to prepare for this major event, which was a great success until this minority of thugs spoiled the day for all true supporters."

Arrests were made last night for assault, violent disorder, affray, throwing missiles, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

Three fans were also held on suspicion of ticket touting, as well as two for drugs offences and two for theft.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said estimates of the number of fans in the city reached as high as 200,000 - more than 15 times the number of tickets allocated to Rangers for the game itself.

But he claimed Greater Manchester police and the city council had praised "the overwhelming majority" of supporters, saying they created "a tremendous atmosphere all around the city".

"The police and council have identified the failure of a big screen in the city as a key point in the evening," he continued.

"We are deeply disappointed that a small minority soured what was a great carnival atmosphere and this is a view shared by our fans who travelled in unprecedented numbers to Manchester.

"We would like to thank everyone in Manchester who made such a great effort to welcome our fans to the city yesterday."

City council leader Sir Richard Leese told the BBC: "I think a small number of Rangers fans have let themselves down and they've let their city down.

"I think it would be a real mistake for what was a very, very small minority of Rangers fans to say that their behaviour can be excused by a technical problem with a screen.

"If we are going to put a finger of blame anywhere it has to be with those fans having to take responsibility for their own behaviour."

The total number of arrests goes back to around midday on Tuesday, when the police operation around the final began.