2008 UEFA Cup Final riots

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2008 UEFA Cup Final riots
Part of the history of Manchester
Officers of the Greater Manchester Police keep Rangers F.C. fans from Zenit fans at the Zenit fanzone
Date 14 May 2008 Location Manchester City Centre England Result 15 policemen were injured, 42 Rangers fans arrested[1]

The 2008 UEFA Cup Final riots, also known as the Battle of Piccadilly,^[2] was a serious public disorder incident that took place in the city of Manchester, England, before, during and after the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. The match, contested between Rangers F.C. and FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, was preceded by scuffles between fans.

Serious disorder was sparked by the failure of a big screen erected in Piccadilly Gardens to transmit the match to the many thousands of Rangers fans who had traveled to the city but did not have tickets to see the match directly. In addition to property damage, fifteen policemen were injured and dozens of fans were arrested.

The riots were widely condemned, particularly by politicians and media commentators, though neither club were sanctioned by the Union of European Football Associations.

Contents 1 Early scuffles 2 Screen failure 3 Arrests 4 Reaction 5 See also 6 References

Early scuffles

The day began with minor scuffles, and few arrests. One early incident occurred when fighting between rival fans broke out in a public house, resulting in its closure.^[3] A Somerfield supermarket was also closed after sporadic fighting. The evening before the match, Rangers fans had set off fire alarms in the city, a criminal offence.^[4] An official report found that missile-throwing and fighting by Rangers fans occurred as long as eight hours before the match began.^[5]

Screen failure

Serious civil disorder began when a large screen, erected to broadcast the game at the Zenit fanzone in Piccadilly Gardens, failed. When the fault was not rectified some Rangers fans began attacking each other and the police with weapons. The technicians who were brought in to try and rectify the fault were attacked with bottles and had to withdraw.^[6][7][8] Rangers fans then tore down railings, fighting amongst themselves, as the riot police arrived en masse.^[9] Fifteen police officers were injured, including one incident in which two hundred fans isolated and attacked a riot officer.^[10] A police dog was injured when it stood on some broken glass.^[11]

BBC News reported that groups of Rangers supporters had clashed with police in the city centre after attacking a bank, bus stops, and a sports car which was bounced over the road.^[12] Greater Manchester Police reported that "a minority of thugs"^[12] among more than 200,000 visiting Rangers fans were involved in the violence.

A Zenit Saint Petersburg fan was stabbed in the back before the game inside the stadium.^[13][14] However, Rangers fans detained in connection with the incident were released without charge.^[15]

Arrests

Greater Manchester Police announced that 41, mainly Rangers fans, were arrested for various offences. These included Section 18 wounding at the stadium in relation to the Russian man who was 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. The force's Assistant Chief Constable referred to the behaviour of the Rangers fans as "unnecessary and unacceptable". He also said Only a small element of fans were involved in trouble, the majority of fans were very well behaved.^[16]

Hundreds of extra riot police had to be drafted in to deal with the rioting.^[2] As the riots continued, by 2100 BST, ambulances were no longer being sent into the city centre unless accompanied by a police escort due to concerns about the "safety of the crew".^[2]

British Transport Police reported sporadic outbursts of rioting at Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Deansgate train stations.^[2]

Reaction

The riots received huge publicity, with BBC News 24 interrupting normal programming to broadcast the riots live on television,^[17] and ITN's flagship News at Ten programme giving extensive coverage to the riots.^[18] The disturbance was dubbed the "Battle of Piccadilly" by the Manchester Evening News, a local newspaper.^[2]

The following day the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the rioting,^[19] calling the behaviour of the Rangers fans "unacceptable".^[19] A spokesman for Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond said the Rangers fans involved had brought "shame to club and country" and Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie, said she was "absolutely appalled" by the footage, and condemned the Rangers fans' behaviour as "horrific and inexcusable".^[20]

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 our supporters."^[21] However media commentators argued that that Rangers fans have a history of such trouble,^[22][23][24] with Alan Bairner, Professor of Loughborough University's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, describing Rangers as having "the biggest hooligan problem in the British game".^[24] Representatives of the Tartan Army indicated that the disturbances may damage the reputation of Scottish football fans abroad.^[25]

One policeman, PC Mick Regan, described how he was kicked, punched and stamped on by Rangers fans before a former army medic dragged him away.^[26][27] Some Rangers fans criticised the tactics deployed by Greater Manchester Police.^[28] There were 63 complaints about police conduct, mainly on the grounds of excessive force.^[29] They included one from a 60-year-old man who spent four weeks in hospital after suffering a broken hip and perforated bowel.^[30] The Police, however, defended their actions.^[31] There was also criticism from supporters regarding the organisation of the event.^[12] 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."^[12] Leese also praised the behaviour of the majority of Rangers supporters stating "I think a small number of Rangers fans have let themselves down and they've let their city down."^[12]

A UEFA spokesman indicated that Rangers were unlikely to face sanctions on this occasion because the violence did not occur at the City of Manchester Stadium, where the match was held.^[32]

The riots were claimed to be a major factor in the decision not to offer an outdoor broadcast of the 2008 Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea in Manchester the following week. However, there had also previously been disorder when England matches were shown on outdoor screens.^[33] Several Manchester City Council members also used the riots as a reason not to allow the victorious Manchester United team to parade the Champions League trophy and the Premiership trophy through the City in an open-topped bus, as is common practice. However, Greater Manchester Police had already opposed such a parade on the grounds that there were "serious safety issues raised" when Manchester United held a parade celebrating their Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble in 1999.^[34] These two decisions were not popular with United fans, or the Manchester Evening News who all tried to get a parade agreed, but without success.

See also

• Football hooliganism
• 2007 Catania football violence

References