Policeman arrested over football cup riot

A police officer has been arrested on suspicion he was one of hundreds of hooligans involved in a riot ahead of the UEFA Cup final last year in Manchester city centre.

Manchester police said yesterday they had arrested an officer with Essex Police who was off duty at the time. He has not been named.

Trouble began before kick-off between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg last May.

The man was allegedly caught on CCTV camera in central Manchester as police fought running battles with fans who caused widespread criminal damage.

Two policemen were badly beaten and many fans sustained minor injuries during the disturbance, police said.