The 2008 UEFA Cup Final riots was a serious public disorder incident that took place in Manchester, England on the day of the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.
The match between Rangers F.C. and FC Zenit Saint Petersburg was preceded by scuffles between fans. Serious disorder was allegedly sparked by the failure of a big screen erected in Piccadilly Gardens to transmit the match to thousands of Rangers fans who had travelled to the city without tickets. In addition to property damage, fifteen policemen were injured and ambulance crews attended 52 cases of assault. A Manchester City Council inquiry into the events estimated that 150,000 Rangers fans visited Manchester for the match, 39 fans were arrested for a range of offences across the city and 38 complaints were received about Greater Manchester Police officers' conduct. The report concluded that the 37,000 Rangers fans inside the City of Manchester stadium were well behaved.
The rioting was widely condemned, particularly by politicians and media commentators.
Read more about 2008 UEFA Cup Final Riots: Early Scuffles, Screen Failure, Reaction, Arrests and Convictions, Return To Manchester
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