27/01/2009

Police Release Uefa Cup Riot Images

Police have released images of 49 men wanted in connection with rioting after last year's UEFA Cup football final in Manchester.

Violence erupted in the city after a screen in a fan zone failed before the match between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg.

Fans of the Glasgow side battled with riot police after Ranger's lost to Russia's Zenit St Petersburg in the final last May.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have released photos of the men on its website in the hope the public will help identify them.

An estimated 150,000 Rangers fans had travelled to Manchester for the match, held in the City of Manchester stadium. Rioting subsequently broke out after a screen due to show the match in Piccadilly failed to work before kick-off.

Det Sup Geoff Wessell, of GMP, who is leading the investigation, said: "May 14 2008 is a night when shameful violence marred what should have been a wonderful football showcase.

"A number of supporters and officers were injured and many innocent members of the public were concerned for their safety and had to take cover.

"It must have been terrifying for anyone caught up in it.

"My team have been working tirelessly in an effort to identify those responsible. This incident has not been forgotten.

"The vast majority of Rangers FC supporters were well behaved on the day, but a significant minority were not."

Pictures of the suspects will appear on the GMP's website at 9pm this evening, to coincide with an appeal on BBC's Crimewatch programme.

Footage of the rioting will also be placed on file-sharing websites YouTube, Facebook and Bebo in an effort to reach as many people as possible.

(JM/BMcC)

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