Night of violence mars Uefa Cup Final

8:58am Thursday 15th May 2008

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Police chiefs in Manchester said they were "sickened and disappointed" after hours of violence following the Uefa Cup Final marred what should have been a proud night for British football.

Across Manchester centre streets were strewn with rubbish, cans of beer and broken glass after 100,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the big game against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.

An army of council workers began moving the mountains of rubbish this morning - but the Rangers' fans own reputation, and that of the city's for hosting events - may take longer to clean up.

Police chiefs expressed their disappointment after violent clashes between fans and riot police marred Rangers' attempt to become the first Scottish club to win a European trophy in 25 years.

An underwhelming performance saw the Glasgow side lose 2-0.

Six men, believed to be Rangers supporters, were arrested after a Russian supporter was stabbed inside the stadium. In all 42 fans were arrested.

At least 15 police officers and one police dog were injured during the disturbances. Injuries include a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder, cracked ribs, stitches to the ear and a broken finger.

One police officer lost a tooth after being headbutted by a Rangers fan. The dog suffered a serious cut to his paw.

For hours after the match the centre of the city was a battleground of running battles between Scots supporters and riot police.

Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran of Greater Manchester Police said: "A minority of thugs have overshadowed what should have been a great occasion."

She added: "I've watched them commit damage, assault my officers and I'm really sickened and disappointed."

Scores of bleary-eyed fans awoke hungover and shivering in the early morning, heading for the train station to begin the journey home, after sleeping in doorways for the night, using their flags as blankets.

Manchester City Council promised a warm welcome, with a relaxed attitude to fans drinking on the street - normally outlawed, and three fan zones with big screens.

More than 100,000 Rangers fans were estimated to have gathered in Manchester city centre, joined by around 9,000 Zenit fans.

Beer was on tap from off-licences with supporters carrying crates of cheap lager around - Tesco opened at 7am, 18 hours before kick-off.

Excitement mounted all day - as did the alcohol levels, with some fans spending hundreds of pounds on travel and hotels just to watch the game in the fan zones.

Throughout the day the atmosphere had been friendly - but when a "technical hitch" hit the screen in Piccadilly Gardens, many fans, already heavily drunk, turned nasty.

Violence broke out at around 7.30pm - and the trouble continued for around five hours.

The broken big screen was pelted with bottles, as were riot police as they moved in to try to quell the trouble.

Police and council officials blamed a "minority" of fans for the violence.

Rangers fans blamed the local council's "shambolic" organisation, but another said the behaviour of his fellow supporters left him "ashamed to be a Scotsman".

There were similar dejected scenes in Glasgow, where 25,000 fans had watched the match on giant scenes at the club's home ground, Ibrox Stadium.

On their return to Scotland, the Rangers players are expected to take part in a parade of honour on an open-top bus, which will travel through the city.

Paul Johnson, 25, from the Knightswood area of Glasgow, said: "I'm absolutely gutted. We were so close to a historic victory for our club but we just couldn't perform on the night.

"It was just a dream for us and we didn't quite make it."

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