UNITED fans reacted in anger last night after UEFA fined the club £6,300 for supporters' "improper conduct" during last month's Champions League match against Lille.

And they are shocked football's ruling body failed to order the French side to play a future European tie behind closed doors.

The match at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens was disrupted when United fans became crushed in the away section of the ground and heavy-handed riot police responded by firing tear gas.

United themselves are waiting for the written evidence from yesterday's control and disciplinary body before deciding whether to appeal.

They then have three days to respond. However, it seems likely they will accept the punishment.

The club concede flares were let off inside the stadium, leading to a mandatory fine.

"We have no comment to make at this stage, as we have not yet received written explanation of the reasons for the fine," said a spokesman.

But the club had forwarded a bulging dossier of evidence on the more unsavoury incidents of the night.

French police accused United fans of causing the trouble at the away end and Lille blamed the overcrowding on counterfeit tickets.

Contrast

In contrast, Lille have escaped with just a £42,000 penalty for a range of offences including a breach of security provisions, a lack of proper organisation and for the walk-off by the players after Ryan Giggs' winning goal.

Secretary Kevin Booth was among a group of 34 fans from the Middleton and District Branch of the United Supporters' Club who made the trip.

"I can't dispute a flare was let off," he told M.E.N. Sport.

"But that goes on all the time in Italy and Spain but you don't hear of these clubs being fined.

"And it's ridiculous that Lille have escaped without having the ground closed. What were the UEFA inspectors doing in the first place to allow the match to be played there.

"Thankfully, our group didn't suffer any problems but from what I've been told people could easily have been killed."

Nigel Barrett, away travel organiser for Stalybridge branch, said: "The problems were caused by the French CRS (riot police) and United get fined.

"It's typical but doesn't surprise me. There was always going to be a token fine for us and a token fine for them.

"Some of our lads didn't get in the ground until Ryan Giggs scored; some didn't even get in at all. It's a disgrace."

Another anonymous Reds fan said: "I wonder if the police have been fined for excessive force."

A UEFA statement said: "The French club were fined 100,000 Swiss francs for breaches of security provisions and lack of proper organisation, as well as for the improper conduct of the team after United's goal in the English side's 1-0 victory.

"The penalty was handed down by the UEFA control and disciplinary body after an examination of the match officials' report and the report by the UEFA disciplinary inspector, written evidence of the parties, an examination of the video surveillance pictures in the stadium, and examination of video images of the match.

"Manchester United have been fined 15,000 Swiss francs for the improper conduct of their fans at the game, which included the setting-off of fireworks and disturbances at the entrance to the stadium."

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