Uefa police attack fans charged

[ian1964 10,720]

Two Rangers fans have been charged over attacks on police officers after last year's Uefa Cup Final in Manchester.

 

Scott McSeveney, from Shotts, North Lanarkshire, and Mark Stoddart, from Glasgow, are accused of violent disorder and a Section 47 assault.

 

Mr McSeveney is alleged to have attacked Pc John Goodwin, while Mr Stoddard is accused of assaulting Pc Mick Regan.

 

Rangers were defeated 2-0 by Zenit St Petersburg in the final in May 2008.

 

Both officers were kicked and stamped upon while on the ground. The attacks were captured by CCTV cameras.

 

Pc Goodwin was knocked unconscious and suffered swelling to his brain after being repeatedly punched and kicked.

 

Crimewatch appeal

 

His colleague Pc Regan later described how he was pulled free from a mob of fans by a member of the public, allowing him to escape with sore ribs and a puncture wound to his arm.

 

The Crown Prosecution Service's reviewing lawyer Andrew Holt said a third man, Brian McVicar, from East Kilbride, will also be charged with violent disorder. His charge does not relate to the attacks on the officers.

 

Mr McSeveney, 21, Mr Stoddard, 25, and 19-year-old Mr McVicar are all due to appear at Manchester City Magistrates Court on 10 August.

 

About 150,000 Rangers fans travelled to Manchester city centre for the match on 14 May last year.

 

Violence erupted when a big screen in the largest fan zone in Piccadilly Gardens failed to show the game.

 

Groups of supporters clashed with police, with officers suffering dislocated shoulders, broken fingers, and bruising.

 

Greater Manchester Police issued a Crimewatch appeal to catch the culprits in January, leading to the arrest of several fans for public disorder offences.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8149980.stm