SalfordOnline

Greater Manchester Police is warning football hooligans not to travel to Rome for the Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona on Wednesday 27 May 2009.

GMP has been working very closely with Manchester United FC, UEFA and Italian police to ensure the momentous occasion is an enjoyable one for all fans.

As with all European fixtures, officers from Greater Manchester Police will be going to the match in an advisory role. They will be on the lookout for any known troublemakers and will alert the Italian authorities if any are spotted.

The policing operation will also target known or potential troublemakers travelling from Manchester Airport to commit football violence.

Plain clothed Football Intelligence and uniformed police officers will be stationed at the airport from Monday 25 May 2009 until the game is finished.

During that period, Greater Manchester Police will be rigorously enforcing banning orders that restrict the movements of known troublemakers before the match. There are a number of routes fans can fly to attend the match and officers will be monitoring all options available.

Officers will identify and prevent anyone known to have convictions for violence or football related disorder from travelling to Rome.

The Football Banning Order Authority (UKFBOA) has sent out letters to specific people who are subject to Banning Orders. The recipients must follow certain courses of action, such as reporting to a police station on the day of the match and surrendering their passport. Any breaches of the conditions will be treated seriously.

Tickets for this year’s final will resemble a credit card with a data chip. The chip contains the personal data of the legitimate owner and the tickets will be scanned at entrances to the stadium arena and again at the turnstiles. The fan will have to then produce photographic identity to confirm they are the legitimate holder. If it does not match, they will be refused and they could be arrested.

Match Commander Superintendent John Graves said: "It is a great achievement for Manchester United to have reached the Champions League Final once again and the club's fans in Rome will be representing not just the city of Manchester but the whole of the United Kingdom.

"The vast majority of fans are genuine supporters and we want them to have a good night, cheer on the team and enjoy themselves.

"A number of officers and I have liaised with local police and helped draw up arrangements to police the fixture. Although GMP officers have no powers of arrest abroad and ultimate responsibility for policing the game lies with the Italian police, we have been gathering intelligence on potential and known troublemakers and GMP officers will be in Rome in an advisory role.

"Supporters should follow the advice being given - do not travel unless you have a legitimately purchased ticket. When travelling to the stadium, use the official transport provided and be mindful of your personal safety.

"We will be closely monitoring those travelling to Rome for the game at the airport and the message couldn’t be more clear: anyone who is trying to travel who is either a person subject to a football banning order or a known troublemaker will be identified and punished appropriately.

"The majority of fans travelling will be law abiding genuine supporters. We are determined to stop known troublemakers from spoiling the enjoyment of genuine fans.

"The Champions League Final is a huge occasion and it should be an event that everyone enjoys. I hope fans share my hope that everyone who goes to Rome will behave impeccably.

“Make this a night to remember for all the right reasons and don’t travel there to commit violence.”


GMP has been working very closely with Manchester United FC, UEFA and Italian police to ensure the momentous occasion is an enjoyable one for all fans.

As with all European fixtures, officers from Greater Manchester Police will be going to the match in an advisory role. They will be on the lookout for any known troublemakers and will alert the Italian authorities if any are spotted.

The policing operation will also target known or potential troublemakers travelling from Manchester Airport to commit football violence.

Plain clothed Football Intelligence and uniformed police officers will be stationed at the airport from Monday 25 May 2009 until the game is finished.

During that period, Greater Manchester Police will be rigorously enforcing banning orders that restrict the movements of known troublemakers before the match. There are a number of routes fans can fly to attend the match and officers will be monitoring all options available.

Officers will identify and prevent anyone known to have convictions for violence or football related disorder from travelling to Rome.

The Football Banning Order Authority (UKFBOA) has sent out letters to specific people who are subject to Banning Orders. The recipients must follow certain courses of action, such as reporting to a police station on the day of the match and surrendering their passport. Any breaches of the conditions will be treated seriously.

Tickets for this year’s final will resemble a credit card with a data chip. The chip contains the personal data of the legitimate owner and the tickets will be scanned at entrances to the stadium arena and again at the turnstiles. The fan will have to then produce photographic identity to confirm they are the legitimate holder. If it does not match, they will be refused and they could be arrested.

Match Commander Superintendent John Graves said: "It is a great achievement for Manchester United to have reached the Champions League Final once again and the club's fans in Rome will be representing not just the city of Manchester but the whole of the United Kingdom.

"The vast majority of fans are genuine supporters and we want them to have a good night, cheer on the team and enjoy themselves.

"A number of officers and I have liaised with local police and helped draw up arrangements to police the fixture. Although GMP officers have no powers of arrest abroad and ultimate responsibility for policing the game lies with the Italian police, we have been gathering intelligence on potential and known troublemakers and GMP officers will be in Rome in an advisory role.

"Supporters should follow the advice being given - do not travel unless you have a legitimately purchased ticket. When travelling to the stadium, use the official transport provided and be mindful of your personal safety.

"We will be closely monitoring those travelling to Rome for the game at the airport and the message couldn’t be more clear: anyone who is trying to travel who is either a person subject to a football banning order or a known troublemaker will be identified and punished appropriately.

"The majority of fans travelling will be law abiding genuine supporters. We are determined to stop known troublemakers from spoiling the enjoyment of genuine fans.

"The Champions League Final is a huge occasion and it should be an event that everyone enjoys. I hope fans share my hope that everyone who goes to Rome will behave impeccably.

“Make this a night to remember for all the right reasons and don’t travel there to commit violence.”