No Champions League parade for United

11:50am Saturday 17th May 2008

The violence in the UEFA Cup Final appeared today to have robbed Manchester United fans of a home-coming parade, should their team win the Champions League.

The decision came 48 hours after rampaging Rangers supporters fought running battles with riot police in Manchester city centre.

Manchester City Council, widely criticised for their handling of the final in the city, along with Trafford Council, Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) scrapped the plans for next Thursday's event after holding talks yesterday.

A joint statement, issued by GMP, said: "There will not be a parade immediately following the Champions League final next week but details are being discussed to organise an event which may take place during the summer.

"Manchester City Council, Trafford Council, Manchester United and GMP are working together to identify suitable opportunities given the necessary logistical demands to ensure security and safety to appropriately celebrate United's achievements this season."

Confusion arose shortly after the statement was released when council bosses said the ruling was made just by the police and the club.

A council spokeswoman said: "Manchester City Council met with police and made it quite clear this was a decision for Manchester United FC and GMP.

"The city council has made no decision about the parade. The statement has been issued without our approval."

Manchester United made no comment on the issue which was condemned by the club's supporters.

Season ticket-holder, Simon Murphy, 37, from Bury, said, "Why punish us for something we haven't done? I think that's very poor.

"Just because Rangers fans can't behave doesn't mean United fans would do the same to their home city."

Busby Babe Albert Scanlon, who will be going to the final in Moscow against Chelsea - the first ever all-English final, said thousands of United fans would be "gutted" and blamed the police and council's "shambolic" organisation of the Rangers final.

Mr Scanlon said, "All they're doing is punishing their own people for their own mistakes. It wasn't the people of Manchester's fault what happened on Wednesday. It was shambolic.

"It is all down to their own mistakes with Rangers which has condemned the United fans out of hand.

"If we win, the only place you will be able to see the cup is at Old Trafford, but not everyone can be there."

Mark Longden, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association, said: "It's ridiculous.

"Considering the small number of fans in Moscow, it makes it even more imperative that we have some kind of welcome home.

"There were two million on the streets in 1999 and I would imagine the same number this time.

"This is a celebration. It's not going to be a day of drinking. It's been done before without trouble."

He added: "I'm sure the club would want to do it."

A Blackpool comedian even invited Manchester United to stage a victory parade in the resort instead.

North Pier regular Joey Blower, otherwise known as Fleetwood Pier owner Mike Simmons, said he had contacted the club suggesting Blackpool would be a viable alternative.

He said: "We've got a three-and-a-half mile long promenade so there's no policing problems there with the route.

"We're only 50 miles away and there's probably more Manchester United supporters in Blackpool than there are in Manchester."

Elsewhere, plans for a victory parade in west London if Chelsea win next Wednesday's final in Moscow were put on old.

The club and Hammersmith & Fulham council have not been able to agree a suitable date for the event.

A spokesman for the council said Chelsea turned down the option of a victory parade on the Sunday immediately after the final.

Councillor Nicholas Botterill, cabinet member for environment said: "We will continue talking to the club and continue to seek a solution. However, holding a parade on Thursday evening is not an option considering that it would bring a large part of west London to a standstill in rush hour, having a major adverse impact on schools - particularly pupils taking exams, businesses, tens of thousands of commuters and residents.

A spokesman for the club said it was aware of the council's position.

He said: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on this matter, as we have yet to play the match, other than to say it is totally untrue we have denied our fans the opportunity to celebrate with the team. If we win next Wednesday we will make our position publicly clear then."

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