Officer tells of football violence

Last Modified: 16 May 2008
Source: ITN

The police officer attacked by Glasgow Rangers fans has described the night's violence as unbelievable and frightening.

Around 100,000 fans flocked to Manchester for Rangers' Uefa Cup Final clash with Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.

Violence broke out when a big screen due to broadcast the game to 20,000 fans in Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre failed before kick-off.

PC Mick Regan said there was a hardcore minority of "a few thousand" troublemakers.

He said: "It was unbelievable when we got there, it was already in motion. It was frightening, on a different scale from any other match I have worked in my 23-year career."

CCTV images show PC Regan and six other officers retreating down a city centre street as fans hurled cans, bottles and rubbish at them. PC Regan confronts the pack and is punched before one of the mob trips him up and he falls to the ground.

A gang of about 20 fans kick and stamp on the 47-year-old before he escapes.

He said: "We made a tactical withdraw and they overran us. The crowd was extremely hostile and made up of men and women of all ages.

"The whole time we were there, officers were getting hit with bottles.

"As we were forced back down Newton Street, I saw another of my colleagues being attacked by six or seven fans and I went to help him.

"Then a lad with a bottle threw it at me from a distance of about three or four feet and it hit me on the left elbow.

"I remember moving backwards to try and avoid being hit again but next thing I was on the floor.

"I could feel the crowd kicking me in the side but my body armour was protecting me. I could see their feet in front of me even though my head was on the floor.

"I wanted to curl up but I remember saying to myself 'I have got to get up'."

PC Regan was helped by two Rangers fan when he escaped. He said: "One of them shouted at me saying 'I'm British Army, I'm a medic'. He grabbed me by the collar and he propelled me up the street.

"Then one of our vans came round the corner, he threw me in the back of it and off he went. Thank God.

"I feel lucky. Whoever that army lad was, he wants a medal."

PC Regan suffered bruising to both arms, sore ribs and a puncture wound to the elbow.

He said: "Never in my career have I been in a situation like that. It was unbelievable.

"The fans who were coming away from the stadium were as good as gold but the people who were kicking off were drunk and out for trouble.

"I know they will say it's a minority but a few thousand is a big minority."

Fifteen officers were injured and a police dog injured a paw.

One Russian fan was stabbed inside the City of Manchester Stadium.

Eleven Rangers fans, all men, were charged with various offences including public disorder and assault.

A further 11 Rangers supporters were bailed pending further inquiries and 12 were given cautions.

Manchester City Council is to hold an inquiry into its handling of the day. The council relaxed its street drinking ban and fans were seen out drinking from 7am.

Council leader Sir Richard Leese said banning alcohol would have created a "public order problem".

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