United fans enjoy quiet night in Rome
Early arriving Manchester United fans enjoyed a trouble-free night in Rome despite the row that has erupted over the potential for trouble at tonight’s Champions League tie at the Stadio Olimpico.
Although United officials have insisted they were only passing on information in a routine letter to their 4,000-strong travelling support warning them of no-go areas and to use organised free transport to make their way to the game, Roma officials have been incensed by the move.
Indeed, the Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, was so annoyed he lodged an official complaint to city’s British ambassador, Edward Chaplin.
“These comments from Manchester are unfortunate and unpleasant and they are also dangerous because they can create a negative climate,” said Veltroni.
“I regard it as very unpleasant and I would like to assure Manchester United fans that they are welcome in our city and that the true image of Rome is very different to how it has been portrayed by their club.”
The chief reason for United’s concern is the treatment meted out to Middlesbrough fans in the city last year.
Since then, Italian football has been rocked by a series of unpleasant crowd disturbances, culminating in the murder of a policeman during the Sicilian derby in Catania.
United boss Alex Ferguson attempted to diffuse the argument yesterday, insisting he had total confidence in the police to handle any potential flashpoint.
And Greater Manchester Police, who have travelled with United, reported no trouble overnight.
However, with the vast majority of Red Devils fans not due to fly into the Eternal City until today, the potential for problems still exists.
