UNITED fans are being urged not to carry out revenge attacks when AS Roma visit Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The call comes from the
Independent Manchester United Supporters Association
who are pleading with Reds followers to make sure events at last week's first leg in Italy are not overshadowed by similar incidents at the return match.
On a bloody night at the Stadio Olympico, 18 United fans were taken to hospital after baton-wielding Italian riot police charged them on the terraces and three were stabbed by Roma fans as they made their way to the ground.
Supporters spoke of fearing for their lives at the match which is now the subject of an investigation by UEFA, European football's governing body. The encounter was televised live and shocking pictures of battered and bleeding Reds fans were beamed to millions.
Trouble
With Tuesday's second leg looming the fans' group has sent out a message to fellow supporters reminding them that the majority of the 3,800 Italians expected to make the trip to Old Trafford would not be looking for trouble. It says: "The Roma fans at Old Trafford on Tuesday will be just like most of our fans who went to Rome last week and will be there only to watch the football.
"We all need to make sure that there are no headlines in Manchester to wipe out the memory of those made by Italian police last week."
The plea has received the backing of MP for Blackley and United fan Graham Stringer.
He claimed that United fans have "everything to lose by using violence and everything to gain by not using it" at Tuesday's clash and said: "Not only is behaving well the right thing to do but we have to realise that UEFA aren't even-handed. As they have shown in the past, English fans are treated differently while countries such as Italy where violence is common seem to get away lightly."
Leader of Manchester city council Sir Richard Leese said he was hoping for a "friendly, festive occasion," and added that he hoped Roma fans would be so impressed by what Manchester had to offer that they would return as tourists.
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Volunteer Jim, Astley, Greater Manchester (08/04/2007 at 21:58)
Please, let's not have retaliation and violence. Let's show them that English football is the best in the world, by greeting our guests with friendship and appreciation.
To the teams, let's see a top-quality game of world-class football, that all our respective fans can enjoy and be proud of, regardless of the score at the final whistle.
Thank you all.
ronaldo, manchester (09/04/2007 at 09:26)
StevieP, Bangor (09/04/2007 at 13:09)
Agnes, Hulme (09/04/2007 at 13:24)
They will be well guarded by GMP.
Agnes
Morrissey's Cat, Manchester (09/04/2007 at 16:24)
Even when you lose and are humiliated and shamed, a laughing stock across Europe, please remember those lucky Italian supporters are only guilty of one thing - supporting a far superior team.
(Note to editor, please remove this message if Utd win)
Daisy (09/04/2007 at 18:58)
I am pleading with the people who might be considering revenge not to do so. There will be children and elderly people in the crowds.The best thing that could happen is that the United fans behave impeccably and show Roma exactly how to host an international match. Good Luck United!
redmark, manchester (10/04/2007 at 01:18)
We show them what a organised football match is suppoesed to be like ,well policed and stewarded.
If any roma fans have doubts then simply dont risk it as there is all ways the idoitic fans wanting revenge.
Sam Anderson (10/04/2007 at 11:33)
Boo of Salford, Exiled in Gateshead (10/04/2007 at 15:21)
You are a little on the BITTER side aren't you...??? Jealous that the Red three quarters of Manchester are in a competition that you have NEVER graced and are NEVER likely to.
Bertie's....doncha just love em....
ps. Morrisey'Cat...Is that Rhyming slang...???