Fan violence mars Uefa Cup finale

MANCHESTER police today released shocking CCTV images of rampaging Uefa Cup fans attacking a prone officer after Rangers' defeat to Zenit St Petersburg.

Police and council chiefs blamed a small minority of people for the violence which marred the event yesterday.

Hundreds of Rangers fans went on the rampage when a big screen showing the match in the city's Piccadilly Gardens failed to work just before kick-off.

Fifteen officers were injured, as well as a police dog, and 42 arrests were made as hundreds of riot police and supporters fought running battles.

A Zenit St Petersburg supporter was stabbed but his injuries were not life-threatening. Five men arrested for wounding with intent on suspicion of stabbing the Russian supporter were released without charge.

The CCTV footage shows a large group of individuals running after a small number of Manchester police on patrol. Police retreated when a wave of people started to approach. One male officer is shown being tripped and falling to the ground before about 20 individuals physically assaulted the officer before he escaped.

Police released the footage in hopes of finding the attackers. The officer suffered bruising to both arms, sore ribs and a puncture wound to the elbow, police said.

The match commander, Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran, said the police response of her officers was "appropriate".

She said: "It was challenging and we were stretched. Our officers did come under a degree of violent attacks. I am happy we responded appropriately. We could not let those minor disturbances affect the day for everybody.

"I am satisfied our reaction was appropriate. I watched the scenes in Piccadilly Gardens from the control room. I saw officers chased down a street by a baying mob of around 200 people. We had to do something."

Sixteen men were still under arrest for public order offences, four for assault and four for violent disorder and affray. There were further arrests for throwing missiles, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage. Some may appear in court later today after they have sobered up.

The screen that failed was one of eight mounted in the city to accommodate more than 100,000 ticketless fans who descended from Glasgow.

Council leader Sir Richard Leese said the screen went blank 15 minutes before the 7.45pm kick-off but had been working throughout the day. Around 11,000 fans were transported by shuttle bus to an alternative screen set up rapidly at the Velodrome near the City of Manchester of Stadium – but a group of supporters stayed and vented their fury at the police.

Sir Richard said: "We are clearly disappointed that a great night was soured by a number of small people.

"We had an unprecedented number of people come to Manchester, between 100,000 and 150,0000 people. It is the biggest movement of that size for an event of this nature.

"Most people were good humoured who were a credit to their city. Whether it was the big screen going down or a problem with alcohol the behaviour of this small minority of yobs was not acceptable."

A relaxed attitude to fans' drinking in the street – normally outlawed – was adopted as supporters consumed alcohol from breakfast onwards.

Sir Richard added: "Do you really think we were going to stop 100,000 plus Glaswegians wanting to have a drink? It was not possible.

"Trying to enforce that would have created a public order problem."

Alex Salmond, the First Minister, called for a full inquiry into the violence. A "limited" inquiry already announced by Manchester Council should be wider in its scope, Mr Salmond told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament. He also denounced the "completely unacceptable" behaviour of fans whom he emphasised were only a small minority."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown told reporters during his regular Downing Street news conference: "What happened last night was a disgrace. It was a minority but it was completely unacceptable and for that to happen in a public place where the Manchester authorities had made available the facilities for people to enjoy the match."

Eddie Smith, managing director of Lightmedia Display, of Bradford, which provided all the screens used for the fan zones, said a "technical signalling problem" was to blame for the glitch in the Piccadilly zone.