PSG yobs in rampage at Old Trafford
UNITED CHIEFS SAY SUPPORTERS WHO RIPPED UP STADIUM SEATS DURING MATCH ‘WENT TOO FAR’
AROUND 800 seats were ripped out or broken as Paris Saint-Germain football fans visited Old Trafford.
United chiefs have been left counting the cost of the European clash after rowdy French supporters caused considerable damage.
Nearly 3,500 PSG supporters travelled to the city to back their team in the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie on Tuesday night.
Angry United bosses have accused a section of the PSG fans of ‘going too far’ after thousands of pounds-worth of damage was caused.
Around 800 seats will need replacing or repairing after being broken by being stood on or ripped out and hurled.
Netting put in to protect fans in neighbouring home sections, including the disabled fans section in the East Stand, was ripped down.
United fans sitting nearby complained of seats being thrown as well as spitting and other anti-social behaviour. Despite amnesty bins being placed outside the ground, and searches from stadium security, flares and smoke bombs were smuggled inside the ground and let off. It is illegal in England to possess pyrotechnics inside, and in the immediate vicinity of, a football stadium.
“Our fans created a great atmosphere getting behind the team last night,” a United source told the M.E.N. “PSG fans played their part, but some of their behaviour clearly went too far.”
French fans earlier created a sea of noise and colour in Manchester city centre, lighting dozens of flares as well as singing and jumping around in Exchange Square.
One fan suffered a serious hand injury and had to be treated by paramedics when a firework went off in his hand.
United bosses are also assisting police identify some of their own supporters who threw missiles at former Reds star Angel Di Maria.
The Argentinian winger received a hostile reception from the home crowd, which only got worse after he screamed in front of United fans.
A number of missiles were thrown in his direction as he walked over to take a corner, including a beer bottle, which he picked up and pretended to drink from.
The Reds are now expected to now face action from UEFA over the incident. A club source confirmed they are already working with police to try and identify the culprits.
Di Maria’s manager Thomas Tuchel said: “Angel di Maria is very competitive. If you tease him, it does not make him weaker.
“I thought he had a good relationship with the fans.”