An inquiry was under way today after football fans went on the rampage, marring the Uefa Cup final in Manchester last night.
One fan was stabbed and police made 42 arrests in Manchester city centre during and after Rangers’ 2-0 defeat to Russian opponents Zenit St Petersburg.
And 15 police officers, as well as a police dog, were left nursing a catalogue of injuries as hundreds of riot police and supporters fought running battles.
One senior officer was hit so hard his electronic earpiece was left embedded in his head and had to be removed by doctors. Another policeman was bottled over the head and another lost his front teeth after being head-butted by a Rangers hooligan.
Other injuries included bruised and cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a broken finger and arm, and cuts needing stitches. Ambulance crews also came under attack in the violence and two paramedics were reportedly also injured.
Five men arrested for wounding with intent on suspicion of stabbing a rival Russian fan have been released - and it appears the knifeman has escaped.
Sixteen men were under arrest this morning for public order offences, four for assault and four for violent disorder and affray. There were further arrests for throwing missiles, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage. Some may appear in court this afternoon, after they have sobered up this morning.
Police chiefs said they were left “sickened and disappointed” with the behaviour of some fans.
Across the city centre this morning streets were strewn with rubbish, cans of beer and broken glass after an estimated 100,000 Rangers fans descended on Manchester for the big game.
Excitement mounted all day, as did the alcohol levels, with some fans spending hundreds of pounds on travel and hotels just to watch the game in the fan zones.
Throughout the day the atmosphere had been friendly but when a “technical hitch” hit the screen in Piccadilly Gardens, many fans, already heavily drunk, turned nasty.
Violence broke out at around 7.30pm and the trouble continued for around five hours.
The broken big screen was pelted with bottles, as were riot police as they moved in to try to quell the trouble. Police and council officials blamed a “minority” of fans for the violence.
Rangers fans blamed the local council’s “shambolic” organisation, but another said the behaviour of his fellow supporters left him “ashamed to be a Scotsman”.