A SENIOR police figure has blamed Manchester council for the Uefa Cup final riot. Chris Burrows, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file bobbies, said the big screen showing the match in Piccadilly Gardens was deliberately switched off.
Drunken fans went on the rampage before and after the game between Zenit St Petersburg and Rangers in May 2008.
Town hall officials have consistently said the screen failed, prompting a night of serious rioting. A council report blamed drunken fans for thwarting efforts to overcome a weak signal to the screen, with contractors ordered to abandon the site and run.
Following the latest claims, the councl again issued a strong denial and GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy said no blame could be apportioned to any organisation.
Mr Burrows made his comments at the Federation's annual open meeting in the V&A hotel in Manchester. It included a question-and-answer session with Chief Constable Peter Fahy, Coun Paul Murphy, Mr Burrows and other Federation officials who were also on the panel.
Asked by one officer who had been to blame for the Uefa cup 'fiasco', Mr Burrows said: "It was the local authority. I was listening to the (police radio that night. That screen was switched off."
No-one on the panel rebutted Mr Burrows' comments.
After the meeting, Coun Jim Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: "The claim that the screen was switched off by the council is entirely unfounded. The screen broke down and as the technicians tried to fix it they were pelted with bottles. Nothing excuses the mindless violence that followed.
"Never have we experienced the widespread rioting and hooliganism we saw in the city that night. police officers, council staff and others showed admirable courage and carried out a splendid job under extremely difficult circumstances."
Mr Fahy later said: "A council investigation revealed the signal failure was responsible for the screen not working. No blame can be apportioned to any organisation. The disorder was a consequence of individuals taking part in violence."
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Growler (14/11/2009 at 10:38)
Wes Brown (14/11/2009 at 10:44)
.. Council ?
theoracle1981, manchester (14/11/2009 at 11:44)
They didnt listen and just saw pound signs.
COCKNEYMANC, London (14/11/2009 at 11:54)
Esso Blue, Manchester (14/11/2009 at 11:54)
naz, Manchester (14/11/2009 at 12:43)
jordy, Middleton (14/11/2009 at 12:51)
Mark,Radcliffe. (14/11/2009 at 13:05)
Mr.O, North Lanarkshire (14/11/2009 at 13:18)
We operated a number of fan zone attractions in the city that were destroyed because of ridiculous organisation, no barriers, no stewards and people herded like cattle into a corral in blazing heat.
Robert
The foreigner (14/11/2009 at 13:30)
Does no-one see the incident being caused by thugs who were looking for trouble.
Thugs who use football as the catalyst/justification for their intended and premeditated thuggery.
I fail to see the relevance of whether there was, or wasn't, a TV screen or whether it was, or wasn't working.
Could I expect similar inane comment if drinkers were to wreck a pub because the cellar flooded and the pumps died.
Do you think the blame could be directed to the real cause - a segment of the British population who would, for the greater good, best be euthanased!
Eric's Seagull, Whitefield (10/09/2010 at 22:23)
Red or Dead, Manchester (14/11/2009 at 13:31)
RED ARMY
Drew-Peacock, Our House (14/11/2009 at 14:03)
Red Bear, Heaton Park (14/11/2009 at 14:55)
salfordrat (14/11/2009 at 15:28)
jordy, Middleton
The mistake the council made was by trying to ignore the fact that those fans were goin g to arrive no matter what. They only tried to put something in place in the last couple of days. They should have treated it the way the treat any other event (that they want). They left it till the last minute hoping that by saying - if you dont have a ticket, dont come - it would all work out just fine. Idiots.
J smith (14/11/2009 at 16:57)
TheRealWorld (14/11/2009 at 19:33)
That is like calling the shop steward a director.
THE PHANTOMX (14/11/2009 at 20:05)
Irrespective of council failings
can you imagine these "WE ARE THE PEOPLE " down here every two weeks spewing out their sectarian bile
thank god the EPL clubs rejected thes Animals
We fought a world war to keep "THE HUN" out of our country
VANGUARD BEARS--- THE PHANTOM STRIKES AGAIN!!!!
steven mclelland (14/11/2009 at 20:40)
steven mclelland (14/11/2009 at 20:42)
steven mclelland (14/11/2009 at 20:44)
punk
Tugboat Wilson, Chester, Virginia, USA (14/11/2009 at 22:43)
umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (14/11/2009 at 23:12)
people make comments without the truth being known...
1. The big screen did not have an aerial, it was not tested before the game.
2. There was not enough toilets for so called fans, English and Scottish were using the back of the screen as a toilet.
3. Security - Showsec only came on duty at 10am and had no clue what to do with already 150,000 fans in that area.
4. Police could not cope with the amount of fans in all areas.
5. Council had made the invite but the person who made the invite has been very quiet since that night, why is he still on the council?
6. Why wasn't the Manchester Velodrome opened earlier in the day instead of 7pm, a 30 minute warning that this venue was available.....
7. Why wasn't areas like Platt Fields or Hough End used for the Big Screens
8. Why wasn't there an alcohol ban in the city centre?
Lots of questions but again no answers.....
RedRef, Manchester (14/11/2009 at 23:13)
Second point to play a UEFA Final in a 45,000 capacity stadium...CRIMINAL.
a dictata in superbia , Manchester (15/11/2009 at 00:01)
stephen cannon (15/11/2009 at 00:50)
I guarantee even rangers would never have wanted them to behave like this ..and i'm a celtic fan.
but manchester's decision to allow hordes to drink all day almost willing to put up with anything for the money they might make was at least misguided....still no excuse....
dont blame scotland //