Manchester scraps big screen plans after Rangers clashes

Local & National

A Rangers fan is moved by riot police who charged frustrated supporters in Piccadilly Gardens after the giant TV screens failed

A Rangers fan is moved by riot police who charged frustrated supporters in Piccadilly Gardens after the giant TV screens failed
In Pictures: Big screen riot

A football thug attempts to throw a wheelie bin at riot police

A football thug attempts to throw a wheelie bin at riot police
More photos: click here

I only saw the reports on the news this morning and I'm disgusted. This has brought shame to Glasgow Rangers Football Club. There's just no need for it

Friday, May 16, 2008

The Champions League Final will not be shown on big screens in Manchester prompting disappointment for ticketless fans planning to travel from Northern Ireland for the match.

The decision — which came less than 24 hours after violent clashes between police and football fans during last night's UEFA cup final — was announced by Manchester City Council yesterday.

The trouble flared at about 7.30pm after a TV screen in Manchester city centre showing the match broke down and the unrest continued for about five hours.

One fan was stabbed and police made 42 arrests in hours of violence in Manchester city centre during and after Glasgow Rangers' defeat to Russian opponents Zenit St Petersburg.

And 15 police officers, as well as a police dog, were left injured as hundreds of riot police and supporters fought running battles.

One senior officer was hit so hard his electronic earpiece was left embedded in his head and had to be removed by doctors.

Another policeman was bottled over the head and another lost his front teeth after being head-butted by a Rangers hooligan. Other injuries included bruised and cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder, broken finger and arm, and cuts needing stitches.

Ambulance crews also came under attack and two paramedics were reportedly also injured.

Manchester City Council had considered erecting screens to show the Manchester United v Chelsea match in Moscow next Wednesday but no firm plans had been made, according to a council spokeswoman.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said he did not want to cause disruption to the city centre's 20,000 residents and more than 100,000 workers and visitors.

He said: "We are sorry to disappoint fans but it is obvious that because of the impact on residents, businesses and city centre users, there can be no big screen showing of the final. After what happened last night it wouldn't be acceptable to a week later have big screens in the city centre."

"I know it's going to be disappointing but it's the only reasonable thing we and the police can do."

Meanwhile, fans arriving into Belfast International Airport yesterday morning said there was a great deal of confusion after they were told they would not be able to watch the match on the screen at Piccadilly Gardens.

Alistair Davis (38) from Londonderry, who flew to Manchester, said: "We arrived at the fanzone at Piccadilly Gardens at about 11am. Everyone was enjoying themselves and having great craic with people from all over the world.

"By 7.20pm the screen wasn't on and 20 minutes later we were still waiting for it to come on and we were starting to wonder what was going on and then a note came up that there were problems with the signal.

"Then another note came up saying that they wouldn't be able to show the game on the screen.

"No-one knew where we were supposed to be going. We were told we had to go to another area to watch the game but no-one knew where that was.

"There was a huge big crowd and people were trying to get out while others were still trying to get in so it was a bit of a crush."

He added: "I did see some fans throwing bottles but nothing really serious, but later on I saw police in riot gear and mounted police which must be where the trouble was. I didn't see anyone get hurt though."

Ballymena man Colin McAleese (38) said the city was ill-prepared for the event. "Manchester just couldn't cope with the the crowds. There was a bit of bottle throwing and that, but none of the trouble was caused by Northern Ireland fans as far as I could see," he said.

Jackie Thompson (31), from Belfast, who also took refuge in a pub, said he felt let down after what happened.

"I only saw the reports on the news this morning and I'm disgusted. This has brought shame to Glasgow Rangers Football Club. There's just no need for it," he said.