United Fans Stabbed In Rome

AND NOW 5 IN HOSPITAL !!!

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Five United fans in hospital

12/12/2007 - 8:02:36 PM

Five Manchester United fans, including a teenager, were taken to hospital tonight
and two Britons were arrested following trouble ahead of the Champions League
tie with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

The precise extent of the injuries sustained in the trouble has not been verified,
although it is not thought any of the supporters are seriously hurt. One of the
injured is a 16-year-old.

The UK's foreign office confirmed two Britons had been arrested after fans of the
rival teams clashed as they gathered outside the stadium.

A foreign office spokesman said: “It appears there was trouble outside the
stadium.

“A number of British fans were injured and two British nationals have been
arrested.

“Our consular officials are on the way to the hospital to check on conditions, the
numbers involved and whether anyone needs assistance.

“The situation is now said to be calm both outside and inside the stadium.â€

Alex Ferguson last night expressed hope that the game would pass off peacefully
and certainly the Italian police, who were condemned for their heavy handed
tactics earlier this year, were leaving little to chance.

The 1200 United fans who made the trip to Italy were largely shepherded into the
stadium two hours before kick-off, while segregation, made easier by a less than
capacity crowd left no opportunity for supporters to be pelted by missiles, as was
the case on their last visit.

Police helicopters also circled the stadium in an attempt to isolate trouble spots.

AND NOW 7 !!!

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Seven Manchester United supporters were taken to hospital after violence flared
before the Champions' League clash with Roma in Italy.

British Embassy officials in Rome said five fans received stab wounds while two
others, including a 16-year-old boy, needed treatment for being drunk.

None of the stab victims are understood to have serious injuries following the
clash between the rival fans outside the Stadio Olympico. Most are expected to
be released by the end of the night, said an embassy spokeswoman.

Earlier the Foreign Office said two British nationals were arrested but embassy
staff said they could not confirm if anyone had been detained.

Italian media have reported that six British nationals were arrested by police.

The embassy spokeswoman said: "Seven Manchester United supporters were
taken to hospital after fighting broke out on the Pont Duca d'Aosta bridge which
fans cross over the river to get to the stadium.

"Five are receiving treatment for stab wounds while two others, one who was a
16-year-old boy, were understood to be drunk.

"Their injuries are not thought to be serious and most of them will be discharged
in the next couple of hours. One person may be kept in overnight for observation.

"The situation in the stadium is now fine and everything is running smoothly."

She added she could not confirm if any Britons had been arrested.

The embassy had warned travelling fans beforehand not to use the Pont Duca
d'Aosta bridge because it was habitually used by Roma's notorious Ultras - a
following of hardcore fans.

Scenes of violence and disorder marred the two clubs' Champions League games
last season, although this season's group match in Manchester in October
passed off peacefully.

Eighteen United fans needed hospital treatment in April after clashes on the
terraces in Rome and outside the ground.

Italian police were accused by United club officials of handing out "indiscriminate
beatings" as they charged United supporters with batons.

Violence flared again a week later at the return leg at Old Trafford when scuffles
broke out outside the ground.

A volley of missiles was thrown at Roma supporters as they entered the away
end turnstiles and 21 people, including 14 United fans, were arrested.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped Wednesday's game would pass off
peacefully but the British Embassy in Rome had warned supporters faced a "real
danger of attack" by the Ultras.

The 1,200 British supporters who made the journey were largely shepherded into
the stadium two hours before kick-off, with clear segregation in place in the less
than capacity crowd.

Greater Manchester Police officers travelled to Rome and before the game warned
hooligans not to attend.

They liaised with their colleagues in Italy to identify any known or potential
troublemakers.