06/07 C1 Lille OSC - Manchester United Riot police vs red devils fans

LOSC - MU Riot police vs red devils fans 20 02 2007
Stadium scare for United fans
Manchester United fans were involved in a major security scare at the Stade Felix-Bollaert during the Champions League clash against Lille.A problem erupted 15 minutes into the first leg of the knockout tie.

In a chilling reminder of the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, when 96 Liverpool supporters died, it quickly became apparent some visiting supporters were being crushed against the 10 foot high metal security barriers designed to keep fans away from the pitch.

With yellow-shirted security guards swarming around, at least two supporters, including one child, were lifted over the barrier to safety.

At one point, supporters shook the fence, while a large gate was partially pushed open before being slammed shut again.

Almost instantly, riot police arrived and fired tear gas into the stand.

It seemed a dangerous over-reaction to what appeared to be a genuine safety problem, although the unrest was quelled soon afterwards.

Although there was no immediate comment, either from United or UEFA, TV reports suggested the gates at the back of the stand had been opened by police to allow Red Devils supporters with tickets for the home section of the stadium to sit with their own fans.

If such claims are eventually verified, it would bring outrage from Red Devils officials, given the startling similarity to the mistakes that were made as the Hillsborough disaster unfolded.

Some United fans have suggested tickets for the game were freely available in France, with a widespread acceptance that those who purchased seats in the home enclosures would be moved.

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United Want Info Over Stadium Chaos

Manchester United are appealing for eye-witness reports to the incident that occurred during the first half of Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Lille.

There appeared to be a crush of supporters against a 10-foot high safety barrier during the opening stages of the first half in France.

At least two supporters, one a schoolboy, were lifted over the barrier while security officials slammed shut a gate which had been pushed open by United supporters trying to relieve the pressure.

What could have been a chilling reminder of the Hillsborough tragedy was not aided by the arrival of riot police who fired tear gas into the stand.

United keeper Edwin van der Sar complained of double vision afterwards, while many Red Devils supporters expressed their disgust at the treatment they had received.

Television companies suggested the problem was caused by stadium officials allowing supporters with tickets for different sections of the ground entrance into that enclosure.

If that is proved, Lille seem set to receive a heavy punishment from UEFA.

United assistant secretary Ken Ramsden met with UEFA delegates, FA representatives who were at the game as well as members of the Lille hierarchy while the police will also be asked for their input into any inquiry.

"We have obviously received a lot of information from various sources but we would welcome any more detail from fans in the affected area because it is important we establish precisely what has happened," said United director of communications Phil Townsend.
Riot police spray tear gas on Man Utd fans

French riot police sprayed tears gas on Manchester United supporters to dampen crowd trouble during the first half of a Champions League match between Lille and the Premier League side on Tuesday.

The problems started after a United fan climbed a fence at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens to get on to the pitch and approached his team's goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

Stewards took the supporter back to the stands triggering an angry reaction from the other United fans.

Riot police intervened with truncheons and sprayed tear gas as several supporters tried to climb over the fences.

The game was not stopped and calm returned after a few minutes.

United had expressed concern about the basic facilities at the ground and were surprised Lille were allowed to move the game to the compact 42,000 stadium in northern France rather than a larger, more modern venue like the Stade de France.

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