United fan has throat slashed in violent clashes in Rome
5th April 2007
Eighteen British nationals were taken to hospital after violence erupted at last night's Champions League match in Rome. One fan attacked on the way into the ground had his throat slashed and is in a serious condition in hospital.
Clashes between Roma and Manchester United fans in the vicinity of the Stadio Olimpico occurred prior the game while baton-wielding riot police laid into United fans inside the stadium after trouble broke out during the match.
Manchester United fan Victor Hindley at home in Blackpool after attending yesterday's European Champions League quarter final match in Rome between his team and AS Roma
A spokesman for the police department in Rome said: "Sixteen of the fans were discharged while two of the fans will remain in hospital overnight. However, they are not in serious condition." Two Roma fans were also taken to hospital.
A conflicting reporting had a Rome police spokesperson admitting that the man who had his throat cut was in fact in serious condition.
An estimated 4,000 Manchester United fans travelled to Rome for the quarter-final first-leg tie. Man Utd had anticipated problems and had issued a statement on their website warning their fans to be careful.
Fans threw missiles at each other before the start of the game and the tension soon returned after Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes was sent off shortly after the half-hour mark.
Terror on the terraces: blood pours from the head of a Manchester United supporter in Rome's Olympic Stadium as fans clash with police
Trouble escalated after Roma took a 43rd-minute lead, with the Italian police storming the Manchester United fans section, using batons against the visiting fans.
United's travelling support were only allowed to leave the stadium 90 minutes after the game under police escort.
BBC Five Live commentator Alan Green, who witnessed the trouble, said: "United fans appeared to charge the police and the police went in. It got pretty vicious.
"We're about 80 yards away but it seems to have quietened down now. We've just heard a loud crash and there is smoke over there. It is very, very nasty inside this ground now.
"I don't know if the Roma fans started this but they are happy now as it is between the police and the United fans."
Seats were being thrown as Manchester United fans squared off against the riot police
Radio engineer Chris Marsland, 43, from Lytham-in-Hyde, near Manchester, said: "It was a completely over the top reaction by the Italian police. They were just like wild animals."
Earlier around 300 English fans were involved in a stand-off before the first leg quarter final tie.
Three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others hurt during fights with Roma fans at the Uefa quarter finals last year.
Meanwhile, announcements were made over the public address system threatening to halt the game.
On the pitch Paul Scholes was sent off just 33 minutes into the match.
UEFA today launched an urgent investigation into the crowd trouble.
dailymail.co.uk
5th April 2007
Eighteen British nationals were taken to hospital after violence erupted at last night's Champions League match in Rome. One fan attacked on the way into the ground had his throat slashed and is in a serious condition in hospital.
Clashes between Roma and Manchester United fans in the vicinity of the Stadio Olimpico occurred prior the game while baton-wielding riot police laid into United fans inside the stadium after trouble broke out during the match.
Manchester United fan Victor Hindley at home in Blackpool after attending yesterday's European Champions League quarter final match in Rome between his team and AS Roma
A spokesman for the police department in Rome said: "Sixteen of the fans were discharged while two of the fans will remain in hospital overnight. However, they are not in serious condition." Two Roma fans were also taken to hospital.
A conflicting reporting had a Rome police spokesperson admitting that the man who had his throat cut was in fact in serious condition.
An estimated 4,000 Manchester United fans travelled to Rome for the quarter-final first-leg tie. Man Utd had anticipated problems and had issued a statement on their website warning their fans to be careful.
Fans threw missiles at each other before the start of the game and the tension soon returned after Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes was sent off shortly after the half-hour mark.
Terror on the terraces: blood pours from the head of a Manchester United supporter in Rome's Olympic Stadium as fans clash with police
Trouble escalated after Roma took a 43rd-minute lead, with the Italian police storming the Manchester United fans section, using batons against the visiting fans.
United's travelling support were only allowed to leave the stadium 90 minutes after the game under police escort.
BBC Five Live commentator Alan Green, who witnessed the trouble, said: "United fans appeared to charge the police and the police went in. It got pretty vicious.
"We're about 80 yards away but it seems to have quietened down now. We've just heard a loud crash and there is smoke over there. It is very, very nasty inside this ground now.
"I don't know if the Roma fans started this but they are happy now as it is between the police and the United fans."
Seats were being thrown as Manchester United fans squared off against the riot police
Radio engineer Chris Marsland, 43, from Lytham-in-Hyde, near Manchester, said: "It was a completely over the top reaction by the Italian police. They were just like wild animals."
Earlier around 300 English fans were involved in a stand-off before the first leg quarter final tie.
Three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others hurt during fights with Roma fans at the Uefa quarter finals last year.
Meanwhile, announcements were made over the public address system threatening to halt the game.
On the pitch Paul Scholes was sent off just 33 minutes into the match.
UEFA today launched an urgent investigation into the crowd trouble.
dailymail.co.uk
