2007 AS Roma–Manchester United F.C. conflict

Football riot in Rome, Italy November 2020 thumb|upright|Manchester United fan hurling a ripped up seat at riot police. The 2007 AS Roma–Manchester United conflict occurred on 4 April 2007 at the Stadio Olimpico during the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between Roma and Manchester United. In the conflict, missiles were thrown over a perspex barrier separating the two sets of supporters, which prompted the Italian riot police to enter and attempt to subdue the hostile crowd. The incident has been controversial, as the police and team supporters on both sides view the causes of and reactions to the melee differently. Incidents in Rome Before the match began, riot police positioned themselves only on the Manchester United side of the perspex barrier between the fans.September 2007 After Roma scored their first goal, their fans were allegedly throwing missiles over the barrier into the Manchester United fans.September 2007 After this, reports claim that a section of Manchester United fans pushed around the Stadio Olimpico ground stewards; as a result of this the riot police moved in to gain control of the United crowd.Rome officials defend police http://www.24.com/sport/?p=SportArticle&i=477137 24.com 6 April 2007 22 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190833/http://www.24.com/sport/?p=SportArticle&i=477137 30 September 2007 dead The following police action has resulted in Manchester United accusing the Italian police of "hand[ing] out indiscriminate beatings to United supporters" and encouraged witnesses to contact them.Rome police chief defends action http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6530157.stm BBC Sport 6 April 2007 22 July 2019 Many Manchester United supporters and the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association have also claimed the police response was disproportionate and indiscriminate, and that they had targeted the Manchester United supporters.United accuse Italian police of 'serious over-reaction' https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/05/newsstory.sport1 The Guardian 5 April 2007 22 July 2019 Injured fans vent anger at police http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6528597.stm BBC News 5 April 2007 22 July 2019 Eleven Manchester United supporters and two Roma supporters were taken to hospital following the violence. UEFA have launched an investigation and Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker has said that answers were needed into whether or not Italian police had been brutal.Rome police chief defends action http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6530157.stm BBC News 6 April 2007 22 July 2019 Amnesty International has also backed calls for an inquiry. Achille Serra, head of Rome Police, said the police action was a 'justified response', and said there would be no inquiry unless there were evidence of any alleged police brutality. Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete has also defended the policemen on duty at the ground. Psychologist Clifford Stott attended the match and was critical of the Italian police, adding "One way of looking at it is that the Italian fans use violence against English fans to provoke the police to have a go at them."Mario Cacciottolo Football advice provokes Italian anger http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6525795.stm BBC News 4 April 2007 22 July 2019 Before the match, Manchester United issued warnings to its supporters that they could be attacked, highlighting areas that should be avoided in the city, where hardcore Roma fans, known as ultras, may congregate. This warning was viewed as derogative by some in Rome, including Rome's mayor, Walter Veltroni, who said it was "dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate".Rome mayor attacks Man Utd fears http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6524735.stm BBC News 4 April 2007 22 July 2019 Five people (three English and two Italians) were also injured as they made their way to the stadium. The Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato said that the police inside the ground were excessive in their use of batons on some of the United fans, but has called for people not to judge the entire Italian police force by the actions of those involved in this incident.Ben Hibbs Minister appeals to fans http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2007/Apr/Minister-appeals-to-fans.aspx Manchester United F.C. 18 April 2007 22 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051447/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2007/Apr/Minister-appeals-to-fans.aspx 4 March 2016 live The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) has demanded an apology from the Italian police, has said those fans injured should be compensated, and that they were prepared to take legal action to obtain this.United fans want Italian apology http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6587449.stm BBC Sport 24 April 2007 22 July 2019 Action was initiated in the Italian courts but when this was timed out a civil case was opened. That action is still live and still awaiting a decision. The fans of both Manchester United and Milan were praised by the Manchester police following their Champions League semi-final match on 24 April 2007.Fans praised after United match http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6590641.stm BBC Sport 25 April 2007 22 July 2019 On 25 April 2007, UEFA released a statement regarding the sentence for both teams. Roma were fined CHF75,000 (€47,700/£31,100) while Manchester United were fined CHF35,500 (€21,300/£14,500). Both teams have three days from the date of receipt of the written grounds for the decision.Roma and United made to pay http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=531434.html UEFA 25 April 2007 22 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226233013/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=531434.html 26 February 2008 dead Incidents in Manchester In the return leg, which was played at Manchester United's Old Trafford; police beat Roma fans with batons and brought out police horses and dogsFans clash with police at Man Utd http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6538695.stm BBC Sport 11 April 2007 22 July 2019 after Roma and United fans had thrown bottles at each other outside of the ground before the game. There were 14 English fans arrested along with seven Italians. British Sports Minister Richard Caborn was quoted as saying "It's unfortunate that there have been some scuffles outside Old Trafford. This was always going to be a highly-charged game following the incident last week. Greater Manchester Police have used proportionate force in a potentially difficult situation and have handled it well." Reports from police spokespersons said that they were "required to deal with a number of small and isolated incidents" and that the trouble was "contained within five minutes". Post-conflict events In the season following the conflicts, Roma were once again set to play Manchester United. Roma club captain Francesco Totti sought to defuse any potential tensions by making a personal video apology to a female United fan, Carly Lyes, who was caught up in the clash between police and United fans.Daniel Taylor Totti in peace offering ahead of Old Trafford tie https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/01/championsleague The Guardian 1 October 2007 22 July 2019 We would like to apologise for the treatment you received in Rome last season and we hope it has not damaged the opinion you and your fellow supporters have of our city. We would also like to invite you to the Olympic Stadium for the game later this year and treat you as our special guest. Francesco Totti, 2007 Totti's message was well received by Lyes, but the fan pointed out that it was the police, Roma officials, and UEFA who should be apologising for the events of that night, not the playing staff. Related incidents In the previous round of the competition, Manchester United fans were involved in an incident at the Stade Félix-Bollaert in Lens in February, during a round of 16 match between Lille OSC and Manchester United. As the stadium began to fill, too many United fans were directed to the away stand which could not facilitate them, causing the spectators at the front of the stand to be pressed against the perimeter fencing. Amidst fears of a Hillsborough-like incident,Daniel Taylor Uefa to act after United fans crushed https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/21/championsleague200607.championsleague The Guardian 21 February 2007 22 July 2019 fans attempted to climb over the metal fencing surrounding the away section. Riot police saw the attempts as a pitch invasion and fired tear gas into the crowd, which prompted criticism of their handling of the situation.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/22/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Lille-Crowd-Trouble.php Lille blames Man United for crowd trouble International Herald Tribune 22 February 2007June 2023 In 2006, three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others injured during fights with Roma fans in a UEFA Cup quarter-final match.Fans in hospital after violence http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6528049.stm BBC Sport 5 April 2007 22 July 2019 English fans are stabbed in Rome http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/4808246.stm BBC Sport 15 March 2006 22 July 2019 References Riots Riots Category:2007 riots Category:2006–07 UEFA Champions League Category:Manchester United F.C. Category:AS Roma Category:Association football hooliganism Category:Association football riots Category:Riots and civil disorder in Italy Category:2000s in Rome Category:April 2007 sports events in Italy Category:UEFA Champions League controversies and incidents 2007-04-04