THE night of soccer shame when Rangers fans went on the rampage in Manchester has led to 63 complaints . . . AGAINST the police.

Thirty-eight Glasgow Rangers fans have made allegations about officers' conduct, with most claiming they used `excessive force'.

The rest relate to general comments about the policing operation.

It comes as the M.E.N. has learned that the policing bill for the night has been estimated at £250,000.

Forty-two supporters were arrested when a `friendly invasion' by 200,000 Scots turned ugly during their team's 2-0 defeat against Russian side Zenit St

Petersburg. The failure of a screen set up to show the match at Piccadilly Gardens triggered a drunken rampage.

Police launched baton charges against about 200 bottle-hurling yobs, whose behaviour was described as `completely unacceptable' by Gordon Brown.

Injured

Fifteen officers were injured and dramatic CCTV footage showed one, Pc Mick Regan, being dragged to safety by ex-soldier Tom Bardsley after he was caught, punched and kicked by a mob. After the clashes, more than 100 members of the public called to praise the police.

But now GMP's Professional Standards Branch is investigating a string of complaints, which could lead to disciplinary action or form the basis for compensation claims.

GMP tried to refer three cases to the watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which reviewed the evidence and declined to get involved `at this stage'.

The £250,000 policing bill will be picked up by the Uefa cup final organising committee, which was led by Manchester City FC as `host' club and includes Uefa and the FA.

GMP will not be compensated for a further £250,000 worth of policing that was effectively `lost' to the city as officers had to be redeployed from their normal beats - 1,500 officers were involved in the operation on May 14.

'Cost-benefit analysis'

Manchester council is drawing up a `cost-benefit analysis' into whether the final was worthwhile for the city.

It was estimated to be worth up to £25m - but most of that will have gone direct to private business.

Rangers Supporters' Trust spokesman David Edgar said: "We want fans involved in violence to be caught and punished. But there are too many voices of decent supporters for this to have been caused entirely by the fans.

"The behaviour of a few supporters was shocking and unacceptable. But the behaviour of certain policemen and women was indiscriminate.

"The supporters who have made official complaints are decent fans. Some of them are doctors and lawyers. They feel they have been badly mistreated and will take it all the way."

A GMP spokesman said: "The force has received 38 complaints about officers' conduct, the majority of which are for excessive force.

"GMP has also received 25 policy complaints. All complaints are now with the Professional Standards Branch and are being investigated."