MANCHESTER United fans are furious the Champions League Final won't be shown on big screens as a result of the Rangers riots.
They claim their own city has turned its back on them.
Thousands of Reds fans unable to travel to Moscow next Wednesday had hoped to watch the final in the city.
And the M.E.N. can reveal there had been plans for a special homecoming parade on Thursday for the United team if they win the Champions League. But this too could now be under threat. It may only take place if the club and police push for it.
Within minutes of the announcement that there would be no screens for the Chelsea match, the M.E.N. website was inundated with angry fans.
Many criticised the behaviour of the travelling Scots.
One wrote: "So because of a load of brain-dead Rangers thugs, Manchester isn't even going to cater for its own team's supporters in the biggest club match of the season. Thanks Rangers fans. Do come again."
`Charlie', from Manchester, said: "How unfair! So not only have the Rangers fans left our city in a complete state, questioned our hospitality and made us out to be the bad guys, they have now stopped us from being free to watch United's match in the city of Manchester! What a joke!"
`Stretford Ender' was `really disappointed' with the decision.
He said: "Because of drunken Rangers fans, we can't see our own team play in our own city! We would not destroy our own city like foreigners did!"
Behaviour
Blackley MP Graham Stringer, a former leader of Manchester Council, has urged it to reconsider.
He said: "The council quite rightly have concerns after the absolutely appalling behaviour seen last night and do not want a repetition.
"But they should rethink. England and United matches have been shown on big screens, as was the Olympic Games bid when huge numbers of Mancunians came into their city and behaved themselves."
Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central also called for a `second look'.
He said: "People who would come into the city to watch the match won't even be United fans from outside our region. They'll be local people and it is better to have them in a structured environment. I hope they look at it again."
But council leader Sir Richard Leese said the decision was taken in the interest of residents and city users.
He said there would definitely be no outdoor screenings of the match in the city.
But city centre resident Margaret Parkes said: "Our fans would not behave like that. Wednesday was awful.
"But I'm in my 80s and usually I like to see the football fans. They would be coming from work and it would be good to have the screens."
One disgruntled fan has set up an online petition against the decision.
It can be found at:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/big-screens-in-manchester-for-the-champions-league-final.html
Should the screens be banned? Have your say.
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duncan balls, manchester (16/05/2008 at 10:42)
how could there possibly be now,
don't blame Manchester, blame Glasgow
IDIOTS
Tessa (16/05/2008 at 10:50)
Mark,Radcliffe. (16/05/2008 at 10:59)
andyj18, Chorlton (16/05/2008 at 11:37)
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (16/05/2008 at 11:39)
poc (16/05/2008 at 11:44)
It's all very well saying in the past there has been no trouble with United fans, but couldn't the same have been said about Rangers before Wednesday? Is there anything stopping the 'minority' of United fans who cause trouble entering the centre? Or even City fans who are just looking for trouble?
Yes Rangers have ruined it for United fans but this isn't Manchester turning their backs on their own fans, they've been left with no choice.
the clones cyclone (16/05/2008 at 12:34)
Poolie, salford (16/05/2008 at 13:17)
well i am both of these and do not agree with their decision on my behalf. i'm all for it. what is the problem with Manchester council doing something for it's own people. i think they are using the so called riot/battle on wednesday night as an excuse. i have no bad feelings against the fans that came down here, i've seen more mindless violence on a normal friday or saturday night in town.
pete fraser (16/05/2008 at 16:30)
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jimmy grumble (16/05/2008 at 17:20)
Steve Searle (16/05/2008 at 17:35)
The_umpire, Salford, Lancashire (16/05/2008 at 18:35)
A lot was drink, more down to the technical problems with the screens, who forgot to put up the aerial on the unit.
Why was the Velodrome only announced so late to watch the game, where were the buses to get them there!
Also the stewards from Showsec and Rock Steady knew nothing about the Velodrome, did not have maps or information on how to get there!!!
A lot has been learned from this and this event should of been held at Heaton Park, where it is contained and several screens in one venue spread out would of been better.
Manchester United game in Russia should be held but at Castlefields or Heaton Park somewhere, like that where transport links are good!
But then again, we are wrong the people who put these events on, on Wednesday there were Volunteers working from Manchester Event Volunteers and they tried to help but again information from EUFA, City Council, Police was not updated enough.
Jimmy GG, Manchester (16/05/2008 at 19:20)
Now as a result of bad planning and a very small minority of "football" fans (if thats what they can be called) the honest people of Manchester will suffer again. I am an avid Red and cannot believe that because of bad organisation and because of fans that have nothing to do with this cities footballing teams, I and we are the ones to suffer because we are not allowed to have fan zones in our own city for our team. It is bad enough that those who have been able to travel have had the joys of a build up ruined (unlike the Rangers and St Petersburgh fans) but also the people of this city who have done nothing wrong also have that pleasure removed. I am one of many who will have taken time off work to enjoy the build up to this game in the city centre only to have it snatched away by a bunch of idiots who couldnt organise you not what in a brewery. On top of this MUFC are yet to come up with a solution. I have been to all of the knockout matches this season at Old Trafford and now will not be able to have an atmosphere similar to that at Old Trafford because of yet again bad planning.
It is time for someone to come up with a solution so that maybe some faith in our council can be restored!!!!
Andy Gavin, Perth (16/05/2008 at 19:32)
Jane Carr (16/05/2008 at 20:07)
Hughsy, NW (16/05/2008 at 20:17)
For future lottery numbers please email the Council leader direct Richard Leese -r.leese@manchester.gov.uk
Lenin, Manchester (16/05/2008 at 21:50)
I suspect the behaviour of the Rangers fans is a very convenient excuse to cover for the fact that the council do not want to fund the screens out of 'their' (i.e. our) own pockets.
The 'postponement' of any victory parade is doubly disgraceful given the goodwill and world wide coverage the City received in 1999. I do not know of any victory parade in the history of either Manchester club that has been anything but a joyous celebratory occasion.
Leese, Karney et al, yet again, you've let the people of Manchester down. If only you cared...
Audenshaw Bob (16/05/2008 at 21:52)
So today he bans the Champions League Final from being shown and the possible victory parade.
This is terrible decision making. I am a staunch City fan but what we should do is show that it wasn't Manchester fault wasn't English football fans fault either.
By banning these it says to the world that we are to blame.
He's an intelligent bloke but I really think he's cauht in the headlights with this.
Football Fan (16/05/2008 at 22:51)
As this person has said this was not all fans from Glasgow or not even rangers fans on all occasions!! But I think this is outrages that the champions league game will not be shown because of this reason. surely this is just an excuse to cover up the fact that they can't accommodate or control large events!!
William Campbell (16/05/2008 at 23:58)