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Manchester authorities relax drinking ban ahead of fan influx

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Published Date: 10 May 2008
By SAM REEVES
MANCHESTER councillors admitted yesterday that trying to stop Rangers fans drinking before the Uefa Cup final would be like telling them to "stop breathing".
A by-law in the city bans drinking in some public areas, but supporters are unlikely to face police action if they enjoy a pint in designated areas.

Fan zones will be set up in the city for the tens of thousands of ticketless Rangers fans expecte
d for the clash against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester next Wednesday.

The authorities did not go as far as saying the by-law would be suspended for the match, but suggested fans would be allowed to drink in the areas set aside for them.

When asked about drinking in public, Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan said: "We will be taking a relaxed and friendly policing style next Wednesday. We would appreciate if that sort of style was reciprocated by the fans. I won't be telling them not to drink."

It is likely this relaxed style will only be practiced within the designated fan zones which will be licensed venues complete with their own bars. Fans wishing to exit these areas will not be allowed onto the streets while still carrying their drinks.

Vicky Rosin, assistant chief executive at Manchester City Council, said an attempt to prevent fans drinking would be like telling them to "stop breathing". She predicted fan zones would accommodate around 15,000 Rangers fans and 8,000 Zenit supporters.

Rosin said Mancunians were set to welcome the influx of Scottish football supporters – and predicted it would benefit the local economy to the tune of £5 million. "We expect there to be a lovely, party atmosphere," she said.

"We have many visitors to our town, they are going to be spending a lot of money and that is a benefit to the local economy." she added.

Meanwhile, thousands of the fortunate Rangers fans eligible for a Uefa Cup final ticket created huge queues outside Ibrox throughout yesterday as they waited to take possession of their valuable briefs.





The full article contains 348 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 May 2008 10:32 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Rangers FC , Europa League
 
1

margaux 57,

10/05/2008 02:42:41
To reach this years Uefa cup final Rangers have played something like 18 matches.When Celtic reached the 1967 European cup final they played 8 matches to get there.Having said that they played the might of Europe-Zurich, Nantes,Vojvodina,&Ducla prague.Sure puts the Mickey-mouse cup in perspective!
2

Albert Kidd's 86 allstars,

10/05/2008 02:49:35
But they dont sell Buckfast in Manchester... Guess you manky lot will have to make do with lighter fluid then wont you?
3

Colin P,

10/05/2008 02:58:35
5 Celtc fan, are you?
4

Albert Kidd's 86 allstars,

10/05/2008 03:05:15
#6, don ever call me a Celtc fan again.I would rather lose a limb in an industrial accident than align myself with either of your bigot infested glory hunting band of supporters in the west.

I'll give you a clue to my team though, we beat you at brox this season and have made a habit of doing it over the last few years...

While The Chief...
5

Colin P,

10/05/2008 03:20:30
7
I'll keep that in mind if you get all snooty on us.

Hmmm...your names suggests Celtc Hibs or Dundee....but your weak clue leans towards the Leith side where the sun always shines on tv
6

PatG,

Glasgow 10/05/2008 04:42:34
#4
Well done to Rangers on a great run in Europe. But dont undermine what the great Lisbon Lions achieved. They put Scottish football on the world map for the first time in the premier knockout competition of the day. Where the requirement for entry was winning your home League Championship.
Just hope the fans behave themselves in Manchester. Past performances are fresh in the mind. ....Barcelona
7

kenny mcg,

10/05/2008 05:18:53
#10 Patrick

Barcelona?? Out of thousands, a coupla guys have a leak in the street and its BIG news. Gers have had 10s of thousands of Follow Followers to no fewer than 8 foreign countries (Germany twice)this season and there has been no trouble. Pinning your hopes on any embarassment for Gers is a waste of time.
8

Celtic Forever,

No-one likes them, they don't care 10/05/2008 05:45:19
Big mistake. BIG BIG MISTAKE.

This lot are rabid at the best of times but if you let them drink...God help the poor people of Manchester.
9

Celtic Forever,

No-one likes them, they don't care 10/05/2008 05:49:53
...on the other hand, it would help to be p!ssed if you have to watch the dreadful excuse for football that this lot produce. Uefa must be horrified that rankgers are allowed to poison this competition showpiece.
10

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 08:06:14
the drunken rabble will wreck manchester...mark my words...this is a disaster waiting to happen
11

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 08:22:59
Rangers fans are bad enough sober ....give them a few drinks and they are serial nutters
12

Backofthenet,

10/05/2008 08:24:53
Nine European trips by Rangers this season and not a single arrest. Eat your hearts out, bitter bhoys and their hangers-on.
13

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 08:41:58
19

Not one arrest - yes local police try and avoid arresting thousands of fans for loutish drunken behaviour. It's called hassle, jail sizes and logistically impossible. Most police forces are resigned to the rampage only lasting 24 hours and then its over so what's the point.

However, I have a feeling Manchester will be different
this will be another riot just like 72.
14

Backofthenet,

10/05/2008 08:47:42
It's so sad. Bitter, jealous bhoys desperately wishing for trouble to give them a scrap of consolation.
15

Bosco Bhoy,

---Donegal---- 10/05/2008 09:06:09
Must say that the decision re screens and the drinking makes complete sense and their is no need to tar everybody with the same stick and provoce potentila trouble.

Re Wed i do hope their is no fools who detract from the occassion as can happen with either CFC or RFC and our huge fanbase made up of mostly working class guys from the west of Scotland and for the many decent bears i wish you good luck and hope you enjoy the next few days build up as i still remember 2003 like it was yesterday and by God it was some buzz!

BTW
I do hope Dick and the Ruskies hump you but thats normal football rilvalry.
16

forbesy1873,

10/05/2008 09:13:17
Tim can you not let go of your bitterness and jealousy and lend some support for Rangers?

You will feel a better person for it and maybe just maybe some of the contortion in your face will ease.

Then again you have a face that gets automatic entry into the world gurning championships and would require a hell of a lot of relaxtion to look normal so maybe it's too much to ask.
17

Bosco Bhoy,

10/05/2008 09:30:05
24
"Its all over"

Sadly for you, BTO you never eally got started- out of yer depth from day one.
18

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 09:33:22
Forbes good trick you've learned there. You can actually see someone's face from their posts. Remarkable.

Onto your question - why not support Rangers?

I have some pride mate.
19

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 09:42:26
27

Aw c'mon BTO, they rubber ducks need their watter?
20

Tim_MallÔy,

10/05/2008 09:43:11
27

BTO denying ducks their water is cruelty. Contact the RSPCA.
21

forbesy1873,

10/05/2008 09:44:43
Come on BTO, there is more chance of the duck having a shower than Tim.
22

,

10/05/2008 09:48:37
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
23

forbesy1873,

10/05/2008 09:52:20
#31

Get a grip, you have to be a jungle jim trying to get the thread pulled to stop us bears basking in our moment of glory.

So b@gger off.
24

Zorba the Greek,

10/05/2008 09:52:29
#31
Rangers don't need people like you.
25

forbesy1873,

10/05/2008 09:54:00
invictager,

Do you think the wicked witch of the west is Peter Liewell and the Celtic fans are the winged monkeys?
26

,

10/05/2008 10:08:07
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
27

Celtic Forever,

No-one likes them, they don't care 10/05/2008 10:29:30
The WASP bloke should be allowed to speak his mind (it won't take long). He is speaking for the majority of stinkkgers fans so to muzzle him would be unfair.

Let the world hear what these peeeeple have to say
28

Ken Fitlike,

On the outside of the Old Firm, totally bewildered 10/05/2008 10:39:21
I'm always puzzled that sad sacks like WASP log in to the Scotsman in the first place. Daily Star at a push would have seemed like the true level.....
29

DandyKhmer,

Sudan 10/05/2008 10:40:16
The Greater Manchester Police really need to wise up to the fact that they are going to have a big problem on Wednesday.

When the Rangers have been in Europe so far this season, the troublemaking element has not been able to afford to follow Rangers to most of the 18 games. This couple, with the fact the team has got through each round has meant the few well healed fans who did travel had little motive to get nasty. However, the reality is the Rangers have run out of steam; they are going to loose. A large minority of the boys going down there have not stepped one foot out side the Scotland because they do not have the brain cells to compete a passport application form. I fully expect them to get paralytic on the bus down on Buckfast, start to sober up around the time the Zent are awarded the UEFA cup, and then destroy Manchester, picking a fight with anything that moves.

I hope am very wrong but this is what everyone in Scotland has come to expect from a crowd of thugs who so proudly declare “No one likes us, we don’t care” I suggest the Scotsman takes a Poll, and ask the people of Scotland “Do you expect Rangers fans to trash Manchester?”.

The results of the poll will should act as an impetus for the GMP force to be on there guard and meet these thugs with the full force of the law. The Rangers will not respect the “softly, softly” approach. Manchester Bill – wake up before it is too late!
30

forbesy1873,

10/05/2008 11:10:34
How does a woman hold her liquor?

By the ears!
31

Armo,

10/05/2008 11:11:34
39

Well said that man. There should be no attempts to get this man's posts removed.

He is representative of the Rangers FC support.
32

,

10/05/2008 12:42:29
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
33

jerrymanders,

10/05/2008 15:45:13
#52

Gordon Strachan's windows were alledgedly put in last night. By your lot. Can we have a comment?

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