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United fans hurt in Rome stadium riot
ROME (AFP) - Italian police baton charged Manchester United fans during their Champions League quarter final here and 18 English fans were reported injured in clashes.
United and AS Roma fans were involved in running battles outside the Rome Olympic Stadium before the game late Wednesday and police charged United fans after new disturbances erupted following Roma's first goal in their 2-1 victory.
One English fan was in serious condition after being stabbed in the back of the neck, the ANSA news agency reported.
Television images showed one English supporter with blood pouring from a head wound as he was carried away by other fans.
ANSA said 18 fans were taken to Rome's San Giacomo hospital.
Manchester United had warned its travelling supporters to be wary of certain parts of the Italian capital because of the risk of trouble from Roma followers.
But media reports said there were fights between fans as they made their way to the key match and more troubles erupted inside.
ANSA said around 300 English fans, many who were under the influence of alcohol, were involved in street fights. Riot police brought the two sides under control.
Trouble inside the stadium blew up after Rodrigo Taddei's goal put Roma ahead.
Roma supporters ran towards the fencing separating them from United counterparts and pelted them with plastic drink bottles, many of them full.
United fans launched similar tactics and police baton-charged the United supporters, leaving at least one English fan stunned and nursing a bloodied head.
Rome police chief Achille Serra ordered that no alcohol be sold to fans in the Italian capital from midday Wednesday until 3:00am on Thursday.
The troubles came only a day after the Italian government passed new laws in a bid to stamp out mounting football hooliganism in recent months.
Strict new security measures were introduced shortly after a policeman was killed when Catania fans went on the rampage during their derby match against Sicilian rivals Palermo in February.
The authorities briefly closed some Italian stadiums after the death while security measures were improved.
The government clampdown demanded clubs took more responsibilty for security, including more closed-circuit television cameras at stadiums, named tickets, electronic turnstiles, adequate stewarding, and crowd filtering areas outside grounds.
These measures, known as a 'Decreto' were only temporary and had to be approved in parliament within 50 days for them to become law.
On Tuesday the law was approved with a unanimous vote.
Any fan carrying a banner that incites violence or contains offensive language faces arrest.
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