Fans warned to be on best behaviour

Date published: 20/05/2008

Police have urged football fans travelling to Moscow for the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea tomorrow to make it a memorable occasion for the right reasons.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been working closely with Manchester United FC, UEFA and Russian police to ensure the game between the two teams is an enjoyable one for all fans.

Officers are going to the match in an advisory role but will alert the Russian authorities if any known troublemakers are spotted.

Operation Chart will also target known or potential troublemakers travelling from Manchester Airport to commit football violence.

Plain-clothed football intelligence and uniformed police officers have been stationed at the airport since yesterday and will remain until the game is finished.

People subject to banning orders have been sent letters from the Football Banning Order Authority (UKFBOA) and must report to a police station on the day of the match and surrender their passport.

Chief Supt Janette McCormick, match commander, said: “The vast majority of fans are genuine football fans and we want them to have a good night, cheer on the team and enjoy themselves.

“A number of my officers and I have flown out to Moscow to meet local police and help 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 Russian authorities, we have been gathering intelligence on potential and known troublemakers and GMP officers will be in Moscow in an advisory role.”

Officers urged supporters not to travel unless they had a legitimately purchased match ticket, passport and flight ticket, and to use official transport when travelling to the stadium.

They have also been asked not to take flagpoles on to the flight or turn up drunk as they will not be allowed to travel.

With up to 20,000 extra passengers expected to make the journey to Moscow in the next few days, fans are asked to arrive at the airport in plenty of time as long queues are anticipated.

Chief Insp Robert Tinsley, of Manchester Airport Police, said: “As with all operations like this, we are sending out a clear message to people intending to travel to commit violence to think again.”

He added: “In past operations, the vast majority of people approached by officers have been genuine supporters who were co-operative and understanding, but we have been successful in stopping a number of known hooligans travelling.”