Blood, Racism Stain Manchester Derby
10 December 2012
The Manchester police are working overtime in the wake of the Manchester derby.
Their first call of duty is to find the person responsible for throwing a coin at Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand left the field after the match with blood dripping from his forehead, after being struck by an object thrown from the stands.
City immediately offered an unreserved apology to Ferdinand and United, and launched their own investigation into the incident, and are also co-operating with the police to find the guilty party.
"Manchester City wishes to offer its sincere apologies to Rio Ferdinand. The club unreservedly condemns the actions which led to his being injured. GMP's review of all fan behaviour at today's match will be fully supported by the club, through the provision of CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. Following this review, and any associated police action, the club will also apply its own disciplinary policies for any fans found guilty of offences," the champions stated after the last-minute defeat to their city rivals.
Rio meanwhile, tweeted light-heartedly soon after the match: "what a result, 3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin, what a shot! Can't believe it was a copper 2p....could have at least been a £1 coin!"
The police also have their hands full investigating yet more incidents of racism- a theme that has become as common in 2012 as Lionel Messi’s goals.
They are on the case of an alleged racist offence in the stadium, as well as racist tweets regarding the match.
"Man arrested inside stadium on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence after officers hear racist chanting," the police tweeted.
A second official police tweet read: "Thank you to everyone reporting racist tweets. We are aware and are investigating."
Despite the unsavoury scenes after the game, United manager Alex Ferguson was determined to focus on the result, and what it means to his team’s title campaign.
"Derby games are significant if you win them, but I hope it's really significant by the end of the season,” he said.
“I have not known many more dramatic days than that. You could not take your eyes off it.
“Today was a special one simply because they [City] haven't lost at home for two years and both of us are contending at the top of the league."
comments
ohh ferdinand is being abused. Its sad for football. John terry, ashley cole, chelseafc and chelsea fans would like to say sorry for your racial abuse incident at eithad especiall for ending up bleeding. Chelsea 4 life.
Submitted by: simsic
Date: 11 December 2012, Time: 15:12:48
Thanx RVP 4 sinkng thiz ovarated citiz. We dsev tht win. Man city thot thy r untachable bt 4got wu thy r facing. Up the Red Devils
Submitted by: tantsunda
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 23:57:55
Thanx RVP we dsev tht win. Man city thy r untachable bt 4got wu thy r facing. Up the Red Devils
Submitted by: tantsunda
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 23:56:00
Man City fans must just accept that in a football match there is 3 outcomes: Draw, Win or Loss. Or even better, they must just ask the Red Devils' Fans how to cope when suffered a loss at home to your rivals.
Submitted by: tondi23
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 14:21:05
@gokuu: interesting question. Two different types of midfielders. Shelvey more like young Stevie G. Sahin more like Alonso. If I had to choose one based on form, then Shelvey. But I'd like them both. Sahin is pure class, but yet to show it for LFC.
Submitted by: andycarroll9
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 12:52:42
A few isolated incidents cannot be used to describe a whole nation. City fans were disappointed that they lost and resorted to that stupid behaviour - and that ends there. It is not often you hear of City fans being unruly nor fans from other teams. @andycarroll9 - Shelvey or Sahin??
Submitted by: gokuu
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 10:51:45
says Faysal, the anti-semite
Submitted by: andycarroll9
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 10:43:49
Manchester city supports football and i so much accept their apology, let football be the winner.
Submitted by: Milto
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 10:11:54
Dirty scummy fans, all that money and they still have no class.
Submitted by: Haward_Webb15
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 08:53:53
English fans are worse than SA fans, pure hooligans!
Submitted by: Phezani1
Date: 10 December 2012, Time: 08:39:01