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Riot mars English soccer match

MANCHESTER, England (UPI) -- Manchester abandoned plans Thursday to put up big TV screens around the city to show next week's all-English Champions League soccer final, officials say.

That decision came after what the city called a "baying mob" of Scottish football fans went on the rampage, attacking police officers and civilians Wednesday night, The Times of London reported.

In an evening of violence, which police said had left them "sickened and disappointed," one fan was stabbed and mobs ranged through the city where sports tension was high all day.

Police released video footage of the attacks Thursday showing marauding mobs of fans running through the streets and officers being pelted with bottles and chased.

Scores of Rangers fans hurled bottles at workers trying to repair a big TV screen 15 minutes before kickoff.

A total of 52 assaults, many directed against police, were recorded in Manchester and 42 fans, all believed to be supporters of the Rangers, were arrested. Fifteen police officers and a police dog were treated for injuries.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 05/15/2008

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