Football…..its only a game.

Just when I thought that this footy thing was dead and buried for the season the spectre of football related public order again speeds out of the tunnel on the public order express.

It appears, listening to some reports, that the Police are responsible for the public disorder that marred the footy in Manchester last night.

I also suppose, as a direct consequence, the Police were responsible for the result, how poorly the Rangers players played, also responsible for the disorder that ensued because they were also responsible for one of the large screens set up to broadcast the game broke down.

It is sad that so many of the crowd had no tickets, had consumed far too much by way alcoholic beverages, decided that they had no responsibility for their actions and behaved in a way that brought shame onto the vast numbers of people who were tarred with the same brush because of a number of idiots who see fit to vent their anger and frustration in a way that is not only illegal, but also causes mayhem and distress to those not involved and gives the best possible example of the worst possible behaviour.   

Out of well in excess of 100,000 people who made the decision to attend, it is likely that only a small proportion of these were directly responsible for the disorder that took place. Another very small minority were also sufficiently drunk or weak willed to follow their peers and engage in appalling anti-social and violent behaviour. The use of any excuse to justify their behaviour shows them for what they are. They are a disgrace to the name of the club and to the majority of genuine supporters who decided to make the journey for the occasion.

The vast majority must be ashamed of the behaviour of this small group as it adds to the disappointment of the performance of their team and the final result.

I congratulate the senior management of the GMP for stating the obvious. This was a response to what was taking place and not the cause of the problems. This was the type of positive support your officers needed.

On a good note, it appears that the clean street technicians, or what ever re-branded name they go under, will be kept in work for the next few weeks cleaning up the detritus that now carpets large parts of the surrounding area. Local businesses will have done very well out of the occasion with sales but probably face none of the responsibility that is associated with the aftermath.

On a bad note, there are surely numerous sanctioned detections for littering that have been missed.