A quick reminder of these so-called "proper" fans
The Guardian reports: Manchester United are facing a clean-up bill running into thousands of pounds after Liverpool supporters went on the rampage at Old Trafford during their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Seats were ripped out, toilets smashed and graffiti daubed over the walls making crude references to the Munich air disaster.
United's directors, among them the Munich survivor Sir Bobby Charlton, have been described as "appalled" by the level of damage in the stands housing the Liverpool fans and particularly the amount of graffiti and its explicit nature.
"Shipman is our king" has been sprayed in several different locations, apparently celebrating Harold Shipman's liquidates on the basis that most of the victims were from Greater Manchester. There are also references to the rest of George Best and one steward reported that human faeces had been smeared on the walls.
Workmen have been called in to repair the worst affected areas before United's next home match, against Middlesbrough on Monday, and the club intend to forward the bill to the FA. Officials at Soho Square have already been made aware of the damage and they will reluctantly pay for the damages.
It is understood United had lobbied the FA against staging the semi-final with a 5.15pm kickoff, urging them to hold the game as early as possible to eradicate the threat of drunken trouble.
"It was a high-profile fixture and we expected a bit of damage," an Old Trafford spokesman confirmed. A Liverpool spokesman declined to comment last night.
