Perth man questioned on Uefa Cup final disorder

Mar 20 2009 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE MASSIVE police hunt for those involved in the violence which blighted Rangers’ UEFA cup clash in Manchester last year has resulted in the arrest of a Perth man.

Thomas McMahon (22), of Newhouse Place, was transported to Manchester on Wednesday for questioning by officers.

Police had released CCTV pictures of 49 people they believed were involved in disturbing riots surrounding the match between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg last May.

Around 150,000 fans had travelled south for Rangers’ match at the 47,726-capacity City of Manchester Stadium. But rioting erupted outside the ground when a big-screen showing the game broke before kick-off in an area set up for fans in Manchester without tickets.

Footage of the aftermath showed gangs in running battles in the streets with police, showering officers with bottles and bricks. The large-scale disorder left officers and supporters hurt and property damaged.

Afterwards police launched Operation Gale.

Officers trawled thousands of hours of CCTV footage and then earlier this year Greater Manchester Police issued a huge nationwide appeal to put names to pictures of those they would like to speak to in connection with the violent scenes.

Names have now been suggested for the majority of the 49 pictures circulated by police.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed McMahon, like many of those arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to the UEFA cup final, has been released on bail without charge - with an undertaking to report to Chadderton police station in Manchester at a later date - pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the violence surrounding the UEFA Cup final last May should call the dedicated Operation Gale hotline number on 0161 856 4034.