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2007 AS Roma–Manchester United F.C. conflict

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The 2007 AS Roma–Manchester United conflict occured on 4 April 2007 at the Stadio Olimpico during the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between AS Roma and Manchester United. In the conflict, missiles were thrown over a perspex barrier separating the two sides' supporters, which prompted the Italian riot police situated at the Manchester United side to enter and attempt to subdue the crowd.

The resulting police activity has resulted in Manchester United condemning the Italian police for 'hand out indiscriminate beatings to United supporters' and are encouraging witnesses to contact them. Many Manchester United supporters and the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association have also said the police response was disproportionate and indiscriminate, and that they had targetted the Manchester United supporters Eleven Manchester United supporters and two Roma supporters were taken to hospital following the violence. UEFA have launched an investigation and Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker has said that answers were needed into whether or not Italian police had been brutal. Amnesty International has also backed calls for an inquiry. Achille Serra, head of Rome Police, said the police action was a 'justified response', and said there would be no inquiry unless there were evidence of any alleged police brutality. Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete has also defended the policemen on duty at the ground. Psychologist Clifford Stott attended the match and was critical of the Italian police, adding 'One way of looking at it is that the Italian fans use violence against English fans to provoke the police to have a go at them.'

Before the match, Manchester United issued warnings to its supporters that they could be attacked, highlighting areas that should be avoided in the city, where hardcore Italian fans, or 'Ultras', usually congregate. This warning was attacked by some in Italy, including Rome's mayor, Walter Veltroni, who said it was 'dangerous because it risks creating a negative climate'.

Five people, three English and two Italians, were also injured as they made their way to the stadium.

Related incidents

In February 2007, a policeman was killed at a Serie A game between Catania and Palermo.

In 2006, three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed and 10 others hurt during fights with Roma fans in a Uefa Cup quarter-final match.

References

  1. "Club Seeks Rome Fan Reports", manutd.com, 5 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.
  2. "United accuse Italian police of 'serious over-reaction'", Guardian Unlimited, 5 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.
  3. "Injured fans vent anger at police", BBC News, 5 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.
  4. "Answers on Rome clashes demanded", BBC News, 5 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.
  5. "Football advice provokes Italian anger", BBC News, 4 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.
  6. "Rome mayor attacks Man Utd fears", BBC News, 4 April 2007. URL accessed on 5 April 2007.