Police reveal footage of United fans seeing red

ITALIAN authorities revealed video clips and photographs which they said proved that Manchester United fans were to blame for the violence in the Champions League game against Roma.

At least 18 fans were injured in clashes between police and rival fans at Wednesday’s quarter-final first leg, sparking accusations by United and their supporters of heavy-handedness by Italian police. But security officials and police responded as they released video and photographs of trouble at the game, which Roma won 2-1. The clips showed United fans pushing past stewards towards Roma fans, prompting police to move in. United fans could be seen hurling objects at the police, leading them to charge at fans with batons.

Achille Serra, responsible for public security in Rome, told reporters the pictures proved United supporters were the cause of the trouble.

“English fans rushed against the stadium staff,” he said.

“Videos we have clearly show the throwing of seats and bottles by the English fans at police, who at that point, when the stadium staff were overwhelmed by fans, were forced to intervene to avoid collision between the two violent groups from both teams.”

Television footage had previously focused on police launching themselves at United fans, leaving several bleeding from head wounds. Fourteen of the 18 injured during the evening were English supporters.

Rome police chief Mario Fulvi said at least 2,000 United fans arrived at the stadium unaccompanied by police, violating a security agreement between the two sides.

United and its fans accused Italian police of meting out “indiscriminate beatings”, while UEFA has opened a probe into the clashes.

Meanwhile Tottenham officials and fans distanced themselves from blame following the ugly scenes in Seville which included police being accused of hitting a disabled fan.

Spurs fans claim to be victims of an unprovoked attack at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, where the Spanish authorities were persuaded to eventually remove police from the away support.

Club secretary John Alexander confirmed that Spurs’ safety officer, an FA security advisor and police who travelled from London were involved in organising the change after half-time of the 2-1 defeat for Martin Jol’s men against Sevilla.

“As soon as the police were removed from that section there was no more trouble,” he said. “We have been distressed to hear about incidents involving our supporters at a time when they were showing no aggression and also in respect of our disabled supporters being set upon by the Spanish riot police.”