Riot mars UEFA Cup final

Trouble flares between Rangers and Zenit fans outside of the City of Manchester Stadium (Getty)

A Russian fan was stabbed outside the City of Manchester football stadium, police said.

• Smith proud of Rangers
• Zenit crush Rangers' dream

Greater Manchester Police said the fan at the UEFA Cup final venue suffered non-life threatening injuries in the attack outside the stadium.

Six men, believed to be Rangers fans, have been arrested for a serious assault, according to police

The city witnessed angry clashes between Rangers fans and riot police as their team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final

The scenes came after thousands of fans were left outraged when a screen meant to be showing the game in the Piccadilly Garden fan zone failed to work

Fans lined the streets and the mood became tense when disgruntled supporters - who had waited all day to see the historic tie with Zenit - were unable to watch the game

Riot police deployed around the area faced hostile Rangers fans lobbing bottles and cans at them. After backing off for a while, police charged the fans, pushing them back

After one clash, a fan lay on the floor and appeared to be injured.

Other fans taunted officers by filming them with their mobile phones, while police fended them off, hitting them with their shields and batons.

The unpleasant scenes marred the good-natured party atmosphere which had characterised the lengthy build-up to the match - one of the most important games in Rangers' history.

More than 100,000 fans were estimated to have gathered in the city centre, turning it into a sea of red, white and blue.

They were joined by around 9,000 Zenit fans, who were given an equal share of tickets for the 44,000 capacity City of Manchester Stadium.

Police in Manchester said 30 arrests had been made and the main trouble began when the big screen failed in Piccadilly Gardens.

A spokesman said a small number of supporters who had been largely well-behaved became frustrated and started to pelt the screen with beer bottles.

A "significant minority" of fans then began to confront officers and began to throw bottles.

The spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) added: "A number of people were arrested during the disorder at Piccadilly. A number of people, including police officers, were injured as officers brought the disorder under control."

"Some trouble has flared again and our priority was and remains public safety."

"GMP would like to stress that the vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably and came to Manchester clearly intent on enjoying the carnival atmosphere."

"The behaviour of supporters in the other two fan zones and in other parts of the city centre was excellent."

"It is believed that more than 100,000 supporters travelled to Manchester without tickets, almost all of whom came with the intention of enjoying the occasion."

"Up until the screen went down in Piccadilly Gardens, there had been a total of eight arrests across the city centre since the UEFA Cup final operation began at 2pm yesterday."

"Six Rangers supporters were arrested at the stadium after a Russian fan was stabbed in the back prior to kick-off. His injuries are not life-threatening."

Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran said, "I am sure the majority of Rangers fans will be as disappointed as we are that this event was marred by this unnecessary and unacceptable behaviour by a small number of fans."

"Our priority has been public safety and my officers have acted professionally, swiftly and decisively to bring this trouble under control."

Among the arrests made, four people were in custody for public order offences, two for ticket touting, four for affray, one for possession of an offensive weapon, three for serious assaults, one for a minor assault, two for possession of drugs and three for theft.

Rangers security chief Kenny Scott was awaiting further information but insisted he was satisfied with the arrangements in Manchester.

Scott said: "I am led to believe by the police that there was some disorder in the city centre following a breakdown of the big screen in the Piccadilly fan zone."

"I don't know the extent of the trouble yet, I am awaiting more information. I believe there has been some single-figure arrests but there were 100,000 people in the city centre so we shall see how it goes."

"I am happy with the arrangements that were put in place and the local police responded well to the challenge."

In Glasgow, 21 arrests were made outside Ibrox Stadium for minor disorder offences, a Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said.

Around 25,000 Rangers fans earlier packed into their home ground, where the match against the Russian side was beamed live on to three huge screens at the stadium.

Officials let fans in two hours earlier due to the huge demand for seats at the free screening.

But a hush fell round Ibrox stadium when Zenit scored, with some fans shouting out: "No!".

Some sat with their head in their hands, visibly emotional.

Many fans filed out of the stadium before the end of the match, with even more leaving their seats after the second goal.

When the final whistle blew, some dejected fans, both young and old, were in tears, while others draped in Union flags stood in disbelief.

Alana Husband, 25, said: "I'm just so upset. I'm still proud of our boys, though, and I'm sure we'll give them a good homecoming tomorrow."

Jack Davidson, 80, added: "I know I'll never see Rangers in another European Cup final in my lifetime, so it's very upsetting, although I know we did our best."

Davie Cumming, 23, a student, added: "I'm absolutely devastated, just gutted."

"I've supported Rangers since I was a little boy. They'll always be my team. I'm just so bitterly, bitterly disappointed."

Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, praised Rangers' efforts.

"I am hugely disappointed for the team, but nothing should take away from Rangers' fantastic performance in getting to the final," he said.

"The club were a credit to the city and Scotland. They can come home with the sound knowledge that they have done us all proud."

Manchester City Council only decided to put up the big screens days before the match, after the huge numbers of fans heading south to watch the game became apparent.

Cllr Pat Karney earlier boasted of the boost it would bring to the local economy and claimed the city was "excellent" at holding major events.

Tonight a spokesman for Manchester City Council said: "We will be holding a full inquiry."

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said it has been a "magnificent" European adventure for Walter Smith and his team.

"It is a terrific achievement to reach the final of the UEFA Cup. This should stand Rangers in good stead for next season," he said.

"This provides a huge boost for all of Scottish football, in terms of co-efficiency points in Europe."

"The supporters inside the stadium behaved impeccably, staying on to applaud both Zenit St Petersburg and their own players."

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