2008 UEFA Cup final riots

Last updated

2008 UEFA Cup final riots
Part of the history of Manchester and the 2007–08 UEFA Cup
Piccadilly Police split Zenit and Rangers.jpg
Officers of the Greater Manchester Police keep Rangers and Zenit Saint Petersburg fans apart
Date14 May 2008
Location
Manchester City Centre,
England
Result 39 policemen injured, one police-dog injured and 39 arrests [1]
Belligerents
Zenit Saint Petersburg hooligans Rangers hooligans Greater Manchester Police

The 2008 UEFA Cup final 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. [2] [3] [4] In addition to property damage, fifteen policemen were injured and ambulance crews attended 52 cases of assault. [5] 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. [6] [1]

Contents

Early scuffles

One early incident occurred when fighting between rival fans broke out in a pub, resulting in its closure. [7] The evening before the match, someone had set off fire alarms in the city, a criminal offence. [8] An official report found that missile-throwing and fighting by Rangers fans occurred as long as eight hours before the match began. [1] 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. [9]

Screen failure

Just as the match kicked-off, serious civil disorder began when a large screen blacked out, which was erected to broadcast the game at the Rangers fanzone in Piccadilly Gardens. 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 couldn't gain access to the enclosed facility and had to withdraw and the police tried to prevent supporters 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 that 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. [5]

BBC News reported that a small groups of Rangers supporters had clashed with police in the city centre after a bank was attacked, bus stop and a sports car which was bounced over the road. [2] Greater Manchester Police reported that "a minority of thugs" [2] among the 200,000 visiting Rangers fans were involved in the violence. [3]

Reaction

Cleanup in Piccadilly Gardens, the day after the disturbance. Clear up after the Battle of Piccadilly.jpg
Cleanup in Piccadilly Gardens, the day after the disturbance.

BBC News interrupted normal programming to broadcast the riots live on television, [10] with ITN's flagship News at Ten programme giving extensive coverage to the riots. [11] 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". [12] [13] [14]

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." [15] The following day the Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the rioting as "a disgrace". [16] Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie, said she was "absolutely appalled" by the footage, condemning the behaviour as "horrific and inexcusable". [17] Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, offered an apology in a Manchester newspaper for 200 hardcore thugs. [18]

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." [19] [20] [21]

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. [22]

Many Rangers fans criticised the tactics employed by Greater Manchester Police. [23] 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. [24]

There were 63 complaints about police conduct, mainly on the grounds of excessive force. [25] They included one from a 60-year-old man who spent four weeks in hospital after suffering a broken hip and perforated bowel. [26] 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." [27] The police, however, defended their actions. [28]

There was also criticism from supporters regarding the organisation of the event. [2] 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." [2]

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. [29]

Arrests and convictions

Police lined up in riot gear in Piccadilly Gardens Riotpolicemanchester.jpg
Police lined up in riot gear in Piccadilly Gardens

Manchester City Council announced that 39 fans were arrested for various offences. [1] 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.[ citation needed ] The force's Assistant Chief Constable referred to the behaviour of the fans who were involved in trouble as "unnecessary and unacceptable". [30] [31]

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. [32]

In August 2009, thirteen suspected football hooligans appeared in Manchester magistrates court charged with violent disorder following the final. [33] [34] In particular, Scott McSeveny was charged with knocking PC John Goodwin unconscious; another fan, Mark Stoddart, was alleged to have assaulted PC Mick Regan. [35] [36] Twelve people were convicted of rioting and eleven given prison sentences varying from six months to three and a half years in September 2010. [13] [14]

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. [37]

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. [38]

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. [39] 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. [40] 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. [41] [42] 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". [43]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Heysel Stadium disaster was a crowd disaster that occurred on 29 May 1985 when Juventus fans were escaping from an attack by Liverpool fans while they were pressed against a wall in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, before the start of the 1985 European Cup final. The stadium was in need of maintenance and had not been adequately updated It had failed inspections prior to the disaster, and the wall collapsed under the force. Thirty-nine people‍—‍mostly Italians and Juventus fans‍—‍were killed and 600 were injured in the confrontation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rangers F.C.</span> Association football club in Glasgow, Scotland

Rangers Football Club is a professional football club in Glasgow, Scotland. The team competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of Scottish football. The club is often referred to as Glasgow Rangers, though this has never been its official name. The fourth-oldest football club in Scotland, Rangers was founded by four teenage boys as they walked through West End Park, in March 1872, where they discussed the idea of forming a football club, and played its first match against the now-defunct Callander at the Fleshers' Haugh area of Glasgow Green in May of the same year. Rangers' home ground, Ibrox Stadium, designed by stadium architect Archibald Leitch and opened in 1929, is a Category B listed building and the third-largest football stadium in Scotland. The club has always played in royal blue shirts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Firm</span> Prominent rivalry in Scottish football

The Old Firm is a collective name for the Scottish football clubs Celtic and Rangers, which are both based in Glasgow. The two clubs are the most successful and popular in Scotland, and the rivalry between them has become deeply embedded in Scottish culture. It has reflected and contributed to political, social and religious division and sectarianism in Scotland. As a result, matches between them have had an enduring appeal around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millwall F.C.</span> Association football club in London, England

Millwall Football Club is a professional football club in Bermondsey, South East London, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs in 1910. From then until 1993, the club played at what is now called The Old Den in New Cross, before moving to its current home stadium nearby, called The Den. The traditional club crest is a rampant lion, referred to in the team's nickname The Lions. Millwall's traditional kit consists of dark blue shirts, white shorts, and blue socks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association football culture</span>

Association football culture, or football culture refers to the cultural aspects surrounding the game of association football. As the sport is global, the culture of the game is diverse, with varying degrees of overlap and distinctiveness in each country. In many countries, football has ingrained itself into the national culture, and parts of life may revolve around it. Many countries have daily football newspapers, as well as football magazines. Football players, especially in the top levels of the game, have become role models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tartan Army</span> Fans of the Scotland national football team

The Tartan Army are fans of the Scotland national football team. They have won awards from several organisations for their friendly behaviour and charitable work. They have also been criticised at times for aspects of their behaviour, however, such as indecent exhibitionism and jeering at "God Save the Queen".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football hooliganism</span> Violent behaviour by football spectators

Football hooliganism, also known as soccer hooliganism, football rioting or soccer rioting, constitutes violence and other destructive behaviors perpetrated by spectators at association football events. Football hooliganism typically involves conflict between pseudo-tribes, formed to intimidate and attack supporters of other teams. Certain clubs have long-standing rivalries with other clubs and hooliganism associated with matches between them can be more severe. An example of this is the Devon Derby . Conflict may arise at any point, before, during or after matches and occasionally outside of game situations. Participants often select locations away from stadiums to avoid arrest by the police, but conflict can also erupt spontaneously inside the stadium or in the surrounding streets. In extreme cases, hooligans, police and bystanders have been killed, and riot police have intervened. Hooligan-led violence has been called "aggro" and "bovver".

The 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match between Scottish team Rangers and Soviet team Dynamo Moscow. It took place at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on 24 May 1972 in front of a crowd of 35,000. It was the final of the 1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup, one of three football competitions run by UEFA at the time. It was the 12th European Cup Winners' Cup final in history.

The Zulu Warriors are a football hooligan firm associated with English football club, Birmingham City. The Zulu Warriors were formed in the late 1980s and the name allegedly came from a chant of "Zulu, Zulu" which Manchester City fans aimed at Birmingham in 1982, due to their multicultural following. However, both the "Zulu" chant and the term "Zulu Warriors", in the context of a fan following rather than as an organised gang, were in use from at least the mid 1970s.

The Millwall Bushwackers are a football firm associated with Millwall Football Club. Millwall have a historic association with football hooliganism, which came to prevalence in the 1970s and 1980s, with a firm known originally as F-Troop, eventually becoming more widely known as the Millwall Bushwackers, who were one of the most notorious hooligan gangs in England. On five occasions The Den was closed by the Football Association and the club has received numerous fines for crowd disorder. Millwall's hooligans are regarded by their rivals as amongst the stiffest competition, with Manchester United hooligan Colin Blaney describing them as being amongst the top four firms in his autobiography 'Undesirables', and West Ham hooligan Cass Pennant featuring them on his Top Boys TV YouTube channel, on which their fearsome reputation for violence was described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 AS Roma–Manchester United F.C. conflict</span>

The 2007 A.S. 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.

The MIGs are a football hooligan "firm" associated with the English football club Luton Town, which was originally formed in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 UEFA Cup final</span> Football match

The 2008 UEFA Cup final was a football match that took place on 14 May 2008 at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England. It was the 37th annual final of the UEFA Cup, UEFA's second tier club football tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Upton Park riot</span> Football riot in London, England

The 2009 Upton Park riot occurred in and around West Ham United's Boleyn Ground, in Upton Park before, during and after a Football League Cup second round match between West Ham and Millwall on 25 August 2009. The match was won by the home side 3–1 after extra time, but the game was marred by pitch invasions and disorder in the streets outside the ground, where a Millwall supporter was stabbed. The disturbances were met with condemnation by the Football Association, the British government and the two clubs involved. The incident led to fears of a return of the hooliganism that had tarnished the reputation of English football in the 1970s and 80s. There were also concerns that it could have a negative effect on England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup - which was rejected in favour of the bid from Russia more than a year later.

The 1980 Scottish Cup Final was played on 10 May 1980 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 95th Scottish Cup competition. Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers contested the match, which Celtic won 1–0 after extra time when George McCluskey scored the winning goal off of a corner. Rioting after the end of the match, involving both sets of supporters, resulted in the sale of alcohol being banned at sporting events in Scotland.

The 2000 UEFA Cup Final Riots, also known as the Battle of Copenhagen, were a series of riots in City Hall Square, Copenhagen, Denmark between fans of English football team Arsenal and Turkish team Galatasaray around the 2000 UEFA Cup Final on 17 May 2000. Four people were stabbed in the scuffles, which also involved fans from other clubs and were viewed by the media as part of a retaliation for the killing of two Leeds United fans by Galatasaray supporters the month before.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rangers F.C. supporters</span> Supporters of Rangers F.C., a Scottish association football club

Rangers Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the city of Glasgow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football hooliganism in the United Kingdom</span> Hooliganism associated with football in the United Kingdom

Beginning in at least the 1960s, the United Kingdom gained a reputation worldwide for football hooliganism; the phenomenon was often dubbed the British or English Disease. However, since the 1980s and well into the 1990s the UK government has led a widescale crackdown on football related violence. While football hooliganism has been a growing concern in some continental European countries in recent years, British football fans now tend to have a better reputation abroad. Although reports of British football hooliganism still surface, the instances now tend to occur at pre-arranged locations rather than at the matches themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence</span> Fights between English and Turkish football fans

The 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence in Istanbul, Turkey, between fans of English football team Leeds United and Turkish team Galatasaray on 5 April 2000, the day before the first match of their UEFA Cup semi-final, led to two Leeds fans being stabbed to death by Galatasaray fans. Four men were arrested and charged with their murders. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Scottish Cup final</span> Football match

The 2016 Scottish Cup Final was the 131st final of the Scottish Cup and the final of the 2015–16 Scottish Cup, the most prestigious knockout football competition in Scotland. The match took place at Hampden Park on 21 May 2016 and was contested by Scottish Championship teams Rangers and Hibernian. It was the first final to be contested by two teams from outside the top tier of the Scottish football league system. Hibernian ended a run of 114 years from last winning the competition, beating Rangers 3–2 with a stoppage time goal from club captain David Gray.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "UEFA Cup Final violence started early". BBC. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Uefa Cup fans clash with police". BBC News. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Fans sought over Uefa Cup rioting". BBC News. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Revealed: 47 Rangers fans hunted by police over UEFA Cup final riot". Daily Record. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  5. 1 2 "CCTV shows fans chasing police". BBC News. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  6. ↑ Manchester City Council Executive. "Report to Executive 25 June 2008 - UEFA Cup Final" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Pub Closed After Brawl". Manchester Evening News. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  8. ↑ "Prank Causes Zenit Little Alarm". The Scotsman. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  9. ↑ "Report confirms violence before Uefa Cup final". London: Times Online. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2009.[ dead link ]
  10. ↑ "BBC News Live". BBC News. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  11. ↑ "Violence Mars UEFA Final Police". ITN. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  12. ↑ "Battle of Piccadilly". Manchester Evening News. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  13. 1 2 "Hooligans jailed after Rangers' Uefa Cup final riot in Manchester". The Guardian. London. 3 September 2010. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  14. 1 2 Ogden, Mark (3 September 2010). "Rangers fans jailed over Manchester riot following Uefa Cup final defeat". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  15. ↑ "Video - Rangers Chief distances club from trouble". STV. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  16. ↑ Ryan, Rosalind (15 May 2008). "Manchester football violence a disgrace, says Brown". guardian.co.uk. London. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  17. ↑ "Tories 'don't suck up' to the SNP". BBC News. 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2008.
  18. ↑ "Brothers in hate - Herald Scotland". Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  19. ↑ Strange, Hannah (16 May 2008). "PC Mick Regan tells of 'unbelievable' violence by Rangers fans". Times Online. London. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  20. ↑ "Pc describes Uefa fan mob attack". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  21. ↑ "'I didn't care about the bottles. I had to save him from the pack of wolves". Scotland on Sunday. 18 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  22. ↑ Grahame, Ewing (16 May 2008). "Rangers may escape Uefa Cup fan sanctions". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  23. ↑ "UEFA Cup Final riot: I was beaten by cops, says soldier". Daily Record. 16 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  24. ↑ Brown brands Rangers riot fans 'a disgrace' - The Scotsman
  25. ↑ "63 fans complain about excessive police force". Glasgow Evening Times . 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  26. ↑ "Football riot victim's agony". Lynn News. 17 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 July 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  27. ↑ "Fan says police ruined his life after wrongly accusing him of rioting | Scotland | STV News". Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  28. ↑ "Uefa violence 'stretched' police". BBC Sport. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  29. ↑ "Safety fears rule out United parade". theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  30. ↑ "UEFA Cup Final Related Disturbances". Greater Manchester Police. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  31. ↑ Carter, Helen (15 May 2008). "Carnival mood sours as police confront Rangers fans". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Fans sought over Uefa Cup rioting". BBC News. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  33. ↑ "13 fans appear in court over Rangers UEFA Cup Final riot - The Daily Record". 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  34. ↑ "Thirteen charged over Uefa riots". BBC News. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  35. ↑ Scheerhout, John (14 July 2009). "Charges over Rangers riot". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  36. ↑ Thirteen in court over riots - Press & Journal
  37. ↑ "Policeman held over Uefa violence". BBC News. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  38. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (29 April 2010). "Manchester police concerns stop Rangers playing at Neville testimonial". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  39. ↑ Jackson, Jamie (26 August 2010). "Police on alert for Rangers trip to Manchester United". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  40. ↑ "Tottenham to face Inter Milan in Champions League". BBC Sport. 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  41. ↑ "Rangers fans praised after Champions League game in Manchester". 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  42. ↑ "The night has shown the fans in a really good light." dated 15 September 2010, accessed 21 August 2012
  43. ↑ "The Rangers fans were absolutely tremendous." dated 15 September 2010, accessed 21 August 2012

53°28′51″N2°14′12″W / 53.48083°N 2.23667°W / 53.48083; -2.23667

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.