Russian fan stabbed at UEFA Cup final

A Russian fan was stabbed tonight outside the City of Manchester football stadium, police said.

Greater Manchester Police said the fan at the UEFA Cup final venue suffered non-life threatening injuries in the attack outside the stadium.

Six men, believed to be Rangers fans, have been arrested for a serious assault, according to police.

The city witnessed angry clashes between Rangers fans and riot police as their team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final.

The scenes came after thousands of fans were left outraged when a screen meant to be showing the game in the Piccadilly Garden fan zone failed to work.

Fans lined the streets and the mood became tense when disgruntled supporters - who had waited all day to see the historic tie with Zenit - were unable to watch the game.

Riot police deployed around the area faced hostile Rangers fans lobbing bottles and cans at them. After backing off for a while, police charged the fans, pushing them back.

After one clash, a fan lay on the floor and appeared to be injured.

Other fans taunted officers by filming them with their mobile phones, while police fended them off, hitting them with their shields and batons.

The unpleasant scenes marred the good-natured party atmosphere which had characterised the lengthy build-up to the match - one of the most important games in Rangers' history.

More than 100,000 fans were estimated to have gathered in the city centre, turning it into a sea of red, white and blue.

They were joined by around 9,000 Zenit fans, who were given an equal share of tickets for the 44,000 capacity City of Manchester Stadium.

Police in Manchester said 30 arrests had been made and the main trouble began when the big screen failed in Piccadilly Gardens.

A spokesman said a small number of supporters who had been largely well-behaved became frustrated and started to pelt the screen with beer bottles.

A "significant minority" of fans then began to confront officers and began to throw bottles.

The spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) added: "A number of people were arrested during the disorder at Piccadilly. A number of people, including police officers, were injured as officers brought the disorder under control.

"Some trouble has flared again and our priority was and remains public safety.

"GMP would like to stress that the vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably and came to Manchester clearly intent on enjoying the carnival atmosphere.

"The behaviour of supporters in the other two fan zones and in other parts of the city centre was excellent.

"It is believed that more than 100,000 supporters travelled to Manchester without tickets, almost all of whom came with the intention of enjoying the occasion.

"Up until the screen went down in Piccadilly Gardens, there had been a total of eight arrests across the city centre since the UEFA Cup final operation began at 2pm yesterday.

"Six Rangers supporters were arrested at the stadium after a Russian fan was stabbed in the back prior to kick-off. His injuries are not life-threatening."

Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran said: "I am sure the majority of Rangers fans will be as disappointed as we are that this event was marred by this unnecessary and unacceptable behaviour by a small number of fans.

"Our priority has been public safety and my officers have acted professionally, swiftly and decisively to bring this trouble under control."

Among the arrests made, four people were in custody for public order offences, two for ticket touting, four for affray, one for possession of an offensive weapon, three for serious assaults, one for a minor assault, two for possession of drugs and three for theft.