Having watched Glasgow Rangers fans run riot in Manchester City centre last night, Council officials have decided to abort erecting large public screens for Wednesday nights Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea.
The decision comes after a small group of so-called football fans, who just happened to be wearing Rangers shirts kicked-off following Walter Smith sides 2-0 UEFA Cup Final defeat against Zenit St Petersburg.
Fifteen police officers and one police dog were injured during the ugly scenes, while one shocking sequence of CCTV footage released today showed how about 20 fans hunted down a police officer, kicking and stamping on him as he lay on the ground.
In another incident, a senior police officer was hit so hard that his earpiece was embedded in his head and had to be surgically removed.
City Council Statement
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said he did not want to cause disruption to the city centre’s 20,000 residents and more than 100,000 workers and visitors.
‘We are sorry to disappoint Manchester United fans,’ said Sir Leese: ‘but it is obvious that because of the impact on residents, businesses and city centre users, there can be no big screen showing of the Champions League final.’
‘I think after what happened last night it wouldn’t be acceptable to them to a week later have big screens in the city centre.’
‘I know it’s going to be disappointing but it’s the only reasonable thing we and the police can do.’
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