Manchester – The Invasion and the Aftermath

Let me say before I put this point of view that there is no excuse whatsoever for the violence and vandalism which took place in Manchester on Wednesday night. The footage of policemen being set about by angry mobs and cars being destroyed were sickening. They were reminiscent of the inner city riot scenes of the early 80’s. The difference was that then it was protest fueled by poverty and desperation whilst on Wednesday it was just wanton hooliganism fueled by drink and drugs and carried out by lumpen idiots.The “UVF” chants of these charmers were clearly audible. I know Rangers as a club have been working very hard on the sectarian problem but unfortunately with some elements the paramilitary chants and tedious songs about catholics and the pope continue .

Let me say though that the Manchester politicians and police were woefully unprepared for the ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE events of Wednesday night. Some reports put the numbers of visitors at over 200,000. When I heard the arrangements for the biggest invasion of Scots in to Manchester since Bonnie Prince Charlie, I couldn’t believe it. Surely the sensible thing would have been to show the game on big screens at the stadia in Manchester? As well as Old Trafford (to where the game should have been switched anyway) there are stadia at Wigan, Bolton, Oldham, Bury, Stockport and Rochdale. All these locations have good public transport links and there is not a green field between Manchester and any of them. Hosting the screens at these locations would have meant dispersal of the supporters and controlling their drink intake (and their access to missiles). Charging £20 for tickets would have covered the stadia costs. The other advantage would have been that the authorities would have known the numbers they’d have been dealing with.

I heard that before this game there hadn’t been one arrest at Rangers 18 previous European ties this season. Their fans had been complemented for their behaviour in Florence (known for heavy handed policing). Apparently there may have been up to 10,000 “casual” supporters of English clubs causing aggro too.

As I say, the conduct of the imbeciles who attacked people and property is to be condemned 100%. The arrangements and organisation for the whole affair should not though escape scrutiny in any enquiry.