2008 UEFA Cup final riots

Football disorder in Manchester, England June 2020 the history of Manchester and the 2007–08 UEFA Cup Piccadilly Police split Zenit and Rangers.jpg 300px Officers of the Greater Manchester Police keep Rangers and Zenit Saint Petersburg fans apart 14 May 2008 Manchester City Centre,England 39 policemen injured, one police-dog injured and 39 arrests Zenit Saint Petersburg hooligans Rangers hooligans Greater Manchester Police Riots took place in Manchester, England, on the day of the 2008 UEFA Cup final between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and Rangers FC. Serious disorder was allegedly sparked by the failure of a big screen erected in Piccadilly Gardens to transmit the match to thousands of Rangers fans who had travelled to the city without tickets.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/01/27/revealed-47-rangers-fans-hunted-by-police-over-uefa-cup-final-riot-86908-21074032/ Revealed: 47 Rangers fans hunted by police over UEFA Cup final riot 27 January 2009 30 May 2011 Daily Record In addition to property damage, fifteen policemen were injured and ambulance crews attended 52 cases of assault.CCTV shows fans chasing police https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7402858.stm BBC News 15 May 2008 14 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080518080245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7402858.stm 18 May 2008 live A Manchester City Council inquiry into the events estimated that over 200,000 Rangers fans visited Manchester for the match, with 39 fans arrested for a range of offences across the city, while 38 complaints were received about the conduct of Greater Manchester Police officers.https://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_downloads/5._UEFA_Cup_Final_1_.pdf Report to Executive 25 June 2008 - UEFA Cup Final Manchester City Council Executive 10 May 2018 Early scuffles One early incident occurred when fighting between rival fans broke out in a pub, resulting in its closure.Pub Closed After Brawl http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1049692_pub_closed_after_brawl Manchester Evening News 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 The evening before the match, someone had set off fire alarms in the city, a criminal offence.Prank Causes Zenit Little Alarm http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/uefacup/-Prank-causes-Zenit-little.4090832.jp The Scotsman 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517100129/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/uefacup/-Prank-causes-Zenit-little.4090832.jp 17 May 2008 dead An official report found that missile-throwing and fighting by Rangers fans occurred as long as eight hours before the match began.UEFA Cup Final violence started early https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7456386.stm BBC 14 May 2008 15 June 2008 Around late afternoon the Piccadilly fans zone's gates were forced. Large numbers of fans were jumping upon the roofs of sales units and urinating. The sales units were "overrun" and frightened staff had to flee. Police were called but were powerless in the face of the large number of supporters.Report confirms violence before Uefa Cup final 16 June 2008 Times Online http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article4149303.ece 7 October 2009 LondonSeptember 2024 medicmedic Screen failure Just as the match kicked-off, serious civil disorder began when a large screen, which was erected to broadcast the game at the Rangers fanzone in Piccadilly Gardens, blacked out. Chris Burrows, chair of the Manchester Police Federation, claimed the screen was deliberately switched off. The technicians who were brought in to try to rectify the fault failed to gain access to the enclosed facility and withdrew. The police tried to prevent supporters from leaving the enclosed square to relocate to another screen facility. Rangers fans then tore down the barriers, as riot police arrived en masse. Several hundred people became directly involved in disorder and "considerable violence" was directed at the police who tried to enclose the supporters. In total, thirty-nine police officers were injured, including one incident in which a few fans were isolated and attacked by riot officers. PC Paul Ritchie received a High Commendation for saving a police officer knocked to the ground by a bottle thrown by a rioter. A police dog was injured when it stood on some broken glass. BBC News reported that a small groups of Rangers supporters had clashed with police in the city centre where a bank was attacked and damage caused to a bus stop and a sports car. Uefa Cup fans clash with police https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7401814.stm BBC News 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7401814.stm 17 May 2008 live Greater Manchester Police reported that "a minority of thugs" among the 200,000 visiting Rangers fans were involved in the violence.Fans sought over Uefa Cup rioting https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7844997.stm 16 January 2017 BBC News 27 January 2009 Reaction thumb|right|Cleanup in Piccadilly Gardens, the day after the disturbance. BBC News interrupted normal programming to broadcast the riots live on television,BBC News Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVJnWsM2D_k BBC News 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 with ITN's flagship News at Ten programme giving extensive coverage to the riots.Violence Mars UEFA Final Police http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Violence-mars-Uefa-final-521932830.html ITN 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517145455/http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Violence-mars-Uefa-final-521932830.html 17 May 2008 dead Judge Andrew Blake of Manchester Crown Court, when later sentencing twelve people in connection to the disorder, described the riots as "the worst night of violence and destruction suffered by Manchester city centre since the Blitz".Battle of Piccadilly http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1049714_battle_of_piccadilly Manchester Evening News 14 May 2008 15 May 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080705170717/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1049714_battle_of_piccadilly 5 July 2008Hooligans jailed after Rangers' Uefa Cup final riot in Manchester https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/03/rangers-hooligans-manchester-riot The Guardian 3 September 2010 5 September 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20100906210441/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/03/rangers-hooligans-manchester-riot 6 September 2010 liveRangers fans jailed over Manchester riot following Uefa Cup final defeat https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/7981012/Rangers-fans-jailed-over-Manchester-riot-following-Uefa-Cup-final-defeat.html The Daily Telegraph 3 September 2010 5 September 2010 London Mark Ogden https://web.archive.org/web/20100906225210/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/7981012/Rangers-fans-jailed-over-Manchester-riot-following-Uefa-Cup-final-defeat.html 6 September 2010 live Rangers' chief executive Martin Bain described the scenes as "dreadful" but claimed that the violent scenes "were caused by supporters that don't normally attach themselves to our support". He also stated that the club was "in general, absolutely delighted with the behaviour of the hundreds of thousands of our supporters."http://www.stv.tv/sport/exclusive/Rangers_fans_riot_in_Manchester_150508 Video - Rangers Chief distances club from trouble 15 May 2008 16 May 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080521063349/http://www.stv.tv/sport/exclusive/Rangers_fans_riot_in_Manchester_150508 21 May 2008 STV The following day the Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the rioting as "a disgrace".https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/15/justice.gordonbrown Manchester football violence a disgrace, says Brown Ryan, Rosalind 15 May 2008 guardian.co.uk London 25 September 2009 Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie, said she was "absolutely appalled" by the footage, condemning the behaviour as "horrific and inexcusable".Tories 'don't suck up' to the SNP BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7416747.stm 27 May 2008 23 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080526042838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7416747.stm 26 May 2008 live Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, offered an apology in a Manchester newspaper for 200 hardcore thugs.Brothers in hate - Herald Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/brothers-in-hate-1.828746 https://web.archive.org/web/20101209165914/http://www.heraldscotland.com/brothers-in-hate-1.828746 9 December 2010 live 25 September 2009 PC Mick Regan, attacked by a gang of twenty men whilst lying on the ground, described the violence. "It was unbelievable when we got there, it was already in motion. It was frightening, on a different scale from any other match I have worked in my 23-year career. It seemed the vast majority were drunk and they just wanted to cause trouble. A lot of the fans were OK and just asking for directions but there was a large hard core... I know they will say it's a minority but a few thousand is a big minority."http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3945290.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20080706185202/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3945290.ece dead 6 July 2008 PC Mick Regan tells of 'unbelievable' violence by Rangers fans Strange, Hannah 16 May 2008 Times Online London 24 September 2009 https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7404185.stm BBC Sport Pc describes Uefa fan mob attack 16 May 2008 16 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080518053058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7404185.stm 18 May 2008 livehttp://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/39I-didn39t-care-about-the.4095350.jp Scotland on Sunday 'I didn't care about the bottles. I had to save him from the pack of wolves 18 May 2008 8 June 2008 9 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110609021126/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/39I-didn39t-care-about-the.4095350.jp dead A UEFA spokesman indicated that Rangers were unlikely to face sanctions because the violence did not occur at the City of Manchester Stadium where the match was held.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/05/16/sfnran116.xml The Daily Telegraph Rangers may escape Uefa Cup fan sanctions 16 May 2008 16 May 2008 London Ewing Grahame https://web.archive.org/web/20080519175708/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F05%2F16%2Fsfnran116.xml 19 May 2008 dead Many Rangers fans criticised the tactics employed by Greater Manchester Police.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/05/16/uefa-cup-final-riot-i-was-beaten-by-cops-says-soldier-86908-20418962/ Daily Record UEFA Cup Final riot: I was beaten by cops, says soldier 16 May 2008 16 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517111030/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/05/16/uefa-cup-final-riot-i-was-beaten-by-cops-says-soldier-86908-20418962/ 17 May 2008 live In particular, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives' Murdo Fraser suggested the problem might have been caused by heavy-handed policing. He later retracted this after police released footage showing the scale of the problems.http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/-Brown-brands-Rangers-riot.4090794.jp Brown brands Rangers riot fans 'a disgrace' - The Scotsman thescotsman.scotsman.com There were 63 complaints about police conduct, mainly on the grounds of excessive force.http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2314368.0.63_fans_complain_about_excessive_police_force.php Glasgow Evening Times 63 fans complain about excessive police force 3 June 2008 19 July 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080605013026/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2314368.0.63_fans_complain_about_excessive_police_force.php 5 June 2008 live They included one from a 60-year-old man who spent four weeks in hospital after suffering a broken hip and perforated bowel.http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Football-riot-victim39s-agony.4190060.jp Lynn News Football riot victim's agony 17 June 2008 19 July 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080710111646/http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/Football-riot-victim39s-agony.4190060.jp 10 July 2008 dead One fan, James Clark, was charged with rioting, but later cleared of all charges by a court in Manchester. He told STV, "I have been through utter hell because of the police. They picked me out of crowd of fans at random, beat me black and blue with their batons and set their dogs on me. Yet they charged me with being violent. You couldn't make it up."Fan says police ruined his life after wrongly accusing him of rioting | Scotland | STV News http://news.stv.tv/scotland/86860-fan-says-police-ruined-his-life-after-wrongly-accusing-him-of-rioting/ https://web.archive.org/web/20091031013614/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/86860-fan-says-police-ruined-his-life-after-wrongly-accusing-him-of-rioting/ 31 October 2009 live 1 October 2009 The police, however, defended their actions.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7402354.stm BBC Sport Uefa violence 'stretched' police 15 May 2008 16 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080519190019/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7402354.stm 19 May 2008 live There was also criticism from supporters regarding the organisation of the event. In response the Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, said "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." Upon the advice of Greater Manchester Police following the unrest, Manchester United cancelled plans for a public parade to celebrate their 2007–08 Premier League and UEFA Champions League Double.Safety fears rule out United parade https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/may/22/championsleague theguardian.com Guardian News and Media 22 May 2008 10 January 2015 Arrests and convictions thumb|right|Police lined up in riot gear in Piccadilly Gardens Manchester City Council announced that 39 fans were arrested for various offences. These included Section 18 wounding at the stadium in relation to the Russian man who was allegedly stabbed, public order offences, touting, affray, possession of an offensive weapon, Section 47 assault, common assault, possession of Class A drugs, theft, possession of forged tickets, and a Zenit fan for pitch incursion.September 2010 The force's Assistant Chief Constable referred to the behaviour of the fans who were involved in trouble as "unnecessary and unacceptable".UEFA Cup Final Related Disturbances http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/E423E6C1CC4D5B498025744900791062.htm Greater Manchester Police 14 May 2008 14 May 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080519212100/http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/E423E6C1CC4D5B498025744900791062.htm 19 May 2008 Carter Helen Carnival mood sours as police confront Rangers fans https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/15/uefa.retail 8 February 2016 The Guardian 15 May 2008 An appeal was issued on Crimewatch in January 2009, and published in Rangers' match programme, attempting to trace 49 men in connection with the riots.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7844997.stm Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Fans sought over Uefa Cup rioting BBC News 27 January 2009 22 March 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090215143516/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7844997.stm 15 February 2009 live In August 2009, thirteen suspected football hooligans appeared in Manchester magistrates court charged with violent disorder following the final.13 fans appear in court over Rangers UEFA Cup Final riot - The Daily Record 10 August 2009 http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/08/10/13-fans-appear-in-court-over-rangers-uefa-cup-final-riot-86908-21587008/ https://web.archive.org/web/20090812092818/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/08/10/13-fans-appear-in-court-over-rangers-uefa-cup-final-riot-86908-21587008/ 12 August 2009 live 11 August 2009https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8193783.stm Thirteen charged over Uefa riots 10 August 2009 BBC News 11 August 2009 In particular, Scott McSeveny was charged with knocking PC John Goodwin unconscious; another fan, Mark Stoddart, was alleged to have assaulted PC Mick Regan.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1125962_charges_over_rangers_riot Charges over Rangers riot Scheerhout, John 14 July 2009 Manchester Evening News 21 September 2009 http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1346548?UserKey= Press and Journal - Article - Thirteen in court over riots www.pressandjournal.co.uk Twelve people were convicted of rioting and eleven given prison sentences varying from six months to three and a half years in September 2010. An arrested rioter was found to be a serving Essex police officer who was off duty at the time of the incident. He was charged with violent disorder and was released on bail.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7905499.stm Policeman held over Uefa violence 23 February 2009 BBC News 1 October 2009 Return to Manchester Plans by Manchester United to invite Rangers to be the opponents for Gary Neville's testimonial match were reportedly abandoned in April 2010 due to objections from police and the local council over fears of trouble due to remaining bad feeling over the damage caused to Manchester city centre by the riots.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/29/manchester-police-rangers-gary-neville Manchester police concerns stop Rangers playing at Neville testimonial The Guardian 29 April 2010 26 August 2010 London Daniel Taylor Rangers were drawn alongside Manchester United in the same group for the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage, with the opening game in Manchester on 14 September 2010, with a reverse fixture in Glasgow on 24 November. The draw raised security concerns, in particular regarding the potential for possible reprisals, and the prospect of a large number of ticketless fans arriving in Manchester.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/26/manchester-united-rangers-champions-league Police on alert for Rangers trip to Manchester United The Guardian 26 August 2010 26 August 2010 London Jamie Jackson https://web.archive.org/web/20100829060001/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/26/manchester-united-rangers-champions-league 29 August 2010 live United's chief executive David Gill played down the potential for trouble, emphasising instead the connection the two clubs had in both the current club managers in Alex Ferguson of United and Walter Smith of Rangers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8944611.stm Tottenham to face Inter Milan in Champions League BBC Sport 26 August 2010 26 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100826052735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8944611.stm 26 August 2010 live The Rangers chief executive Martin Bain also dismissed concerns, highlighting the club's good relations, and prior Champions League meeting in 2003. Before kick-off, away supporters were held at Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium, to prevent congregation within Manchester city centre. The match passed with 10 arrests for minor offences, involving five Rangers supporters and five Manchester United fans. The behaviour of Rangers fans was praised by Greater Manchester Police.http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/197555-rangers-fans-praised-after-champions-league-game-in-manchester/ Rangers fans praised after Champions League game in Manchester 15 September 2010 4 October 2011 26 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110426184545/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/197555-rangers-fans-praised-after-champions-league-game-in-manchester/ deadhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/15/rangers-police-security-manchester-united Rangers and police hail security operation for Manchester United game The Guardian 15 September 2010 21 August 2012 Ian Hopkins, the Greater Manchester Police assistant chief constable, said: "We had a considered plan to work with both clubs and it has worked well. The night has shown the fans in a really good light." Wigan Athletic's safety officer also commended supporters' behaviour, commenting "Rangers fans are welcome here any time in the future, because we had a superb reaction from those who travelled".https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/9002907.stm Rangers fans' behaviour praised by police and clubs BBC Sport 15 September 2010 21 August 2012 See also 2000 UEFA Cup Final riots Football hooliganism Rangers F.C. in European football FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in European football References 53 28 51 N 2 14 12 W type:event_region:GB_dim:200 title Final, riots Final, riots UEFA Cup Final UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots 2008 UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots UEFA Cup Final riots Category:Riots and civil disorder in Manchester Category:FC Zenit Saint Petersburg Category:Sports scandals in Scotland UEFA Cup Final riots