Media reaction varies after Rome clashes

WEDNESDAY night’s controversial Champions League quarter-final tie between Roma and Manchester United received markedly different press coverage across Europe.

While many English papers focused on “The Battle of Rome” (Sun), “Rome Riot” (Daily Mail) or “Night of Shame” (Daily Express), the Italian press focused on Roma’s triumph and only mentioned in passing the crowd trouble.

Rome sports-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport had a photograph of Roma players celebrating Mirko Vucinic’s winner on their front page, followed by the headline: “Roma, you are mighty strong”, although they did have a column on the crowd unrest on page four.

Gazzetta dello Sport’s first page echoed that of Corriere, with their top headline reading “Roma, what an achievement!”.

The Milan sports-based newspaper dedicated six paragraphs to the clashes prior and during the game on page two.

Gazzetta did point out that despite the ban on alcohol the day of the game, many English fans watching the game outside the stadium were drunk, but in the main, was keen to highlight the team’s performance.

National newspaper La Repubblica also highlighted the failure to impose the ban on alcohol as one of the catalysts for the violence.