Whatever problems Manchester United had on the pitch Wednesday night, the club’s visit to the Olympic Stadium in Rome will be remembered for the violence inflicted on their fans outside the ground and for the heavy-handed policing that led to more casualties inside it.
Once again, Manchester United fans found themselves on the wrong side of overzealous security guards and policemen during the 2-1 Champions League quarterfinal loss against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. According to testimony from fans inside the stadium, police charged at United supporters shortly after Paul Scholes was sent off in the 34th minute. Wielding batons and riot shields, security forces beat United supporters deemed to have thrown missiles into the Roma section. One fan said missiles were indeed thrown, but they weren’t anything that wasn’t sold inside the stadium.
Last month in Spain, Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was rushed to the hospital after a half-liter bottle filled with liquid struck him on the head, knocking him out. The Times Online report has no account of how many fans were beaten by Roma security guards, but immediately after the game UEFA said it would be investigating the issue. Meanwhile, the Times report says 18 United supporters were involved in clashes with Roma’s fanatical “Ultras” outside the stadium. Local news agencies said one fan was taken to the hospital in serious condition after sustaining a wound to the neck. It turns out United’s worst fears, outlined in the official letter to fans before the game, were realized.