TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

‘Three Manchester United fans were arrested amid tight
security at Wednesday's Champions League first knockout
round match with Porto, a police spokesman said. Police
arrested the three fans following a scuffle with a
Portuguese man before the first-leg tie, which was won 2-1
by Porto. The trio will face a judge on Thursday.

‘Alexandre Costa, head of stadium security, said there were
no serious incidents during the match which was treated as a
test of security procedures ahead of the European
Championship being hosted by Portugal later this year.

‘Trouble occurred at the end of the match when several
United fans tried to leave the stadium before they were
allowed, Costa said. They had been told to stay inside the
stadium until 15 minutes after the game for their own
safety, and police and stewards barred them from leaving.

'We knew that among the Manchester United supporters that we
would have about 200 Class C supporters, the most violent,'
said Costa.

Here is a report from the Red Issue forum:

‘Everything was going fine until about 5:15pm. United fans
were getting drunk in the square and it was getting moody,
you could feel it in the air. There was at least 200/300
police in plain clothes just waiting for a reason.

’Anyhow one so-called United fan, gave them the reason by
throwing a pint glass at one of them. Cue problems. They
suddenly started charging us for no reason at all hitting
anyone in sight. My old man (55 year old by the way) slipped
on the pavement and was getting the shit beaten out of him
by a plain-clothes officer, until I managed to pull him
away. I myself have got a nice little cut on my chin and a
swollen face on the left side.

’After the game, they caused the problem again. First they
decided to open the two gates and then as United surged
forward they then proceeded to shut the gates shut, cue more
fighting with the stewards.

’I tell you, because of the over the top actions by the
police, I am going to banned from refereeing for a while due
to the state of my face, arms and legs and as for European
aways I really am thinking of not going anymore. Fed up
getting treated like a thug every time we go away.

’What makes me laugh, is nothing is every done about it and
to be honest if they can't police 3,000 United fans who
mostly aren't looking for trouble, god knows how they will
police 15,000 England fans looking for a trouble. Euro 2004
will be a joke, violence wise.’