PM Condemns Cup Final Violence
The Prime Minister has condemned the violence that followed last night's UEFA cup final and praised the police for their
handling of the clashes.
Speaking at his monthly Downing Street press conference, Gordon Brown said that a "small minority" of Rangers fans had
destroyed the "carnival atmosphere" that built up before the final in Manchester. All football fans needed to be sent a
"stronger message" about not travelling to games for which they do not hold tickets, he said.
The PM said:
"It was a minority but it was completely unacceptable for that to happen in a public place, where the Manchester
authorities had made available the facilities for people to enjoy the match. It means that they have good reason to be
angry about what happened.
"We do have laws that enable us to control drinking in public places where there is a risk of disorder, and we will have
to look at these laws for the future."
Running battles with police broke out when screen erected to display the match in a fans' area malfunctioned. Police
confirmed 42 arrests in the aftermath of the match which Rangers lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg.
ENDS