Manchester rains on idea of a parade
Updated on 23 May 2008
Manchester United, winners of the European Champions league and arguably the biggest club in the world, won't be getting a victory parade any time soon says Nick Martin.
If you travel the globe you don't have to go too far to find someone who is a Red's supporter.
Thousands of Man United and Chelsea supporters headed for Moscow to see the game.
It was a horrible game to watch (I am a Newcastle fan). No supporter wants to see such a big game resort to penalties. But in the end Manchester United won, a victory gained by the slimmest of margins.
The day after Manchester United's victory, attention turned to a city parade, but any fan expecting a jubilant display of silverware making its way through the streets of Manchester will be been left disappointed. It isn't going to happen. Yet.
Why? Well, riots, disorder and violence a week before might have something to do with it. The aftermath of the game between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg, which saw police clash with some fans, has shaken the authorities here.
Channel 4 News cameras were there when trouble broke out last week. We captured riot police using their batons and shields against anyone who got in their way.
We witnessed a night of violence and anger. A night when fans blamed the police for being heavy handed and when the police claimed they being were attacked by some fans; claims which seemed to be backed up by CCTV camera footage released by the force.
"We aren't Rangers, we want our celebration, the council owes us that."Manchester United fan
A city council insider told me that a city parade for Manchester United was "too risky, given what happened last week". The fans might expect a show, but they won't get one in the coming days.
The club has already expressed its disappointment. The councils involved, along with Greater Manchester Police, say a parade will likely happen "in the summer months".
One fan told me: "We aren't Rangers, we want our celebration, the council owes us that."
But with the council and the police are still licking wounds from last week's violence, a parade attracting 100,000 fans might be too much.
