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Football: United supporters handed Ultras warning
Guardian Unlimited


Evidence uncovered suggesting Roma's Ultras are heading to Milan ahead of Man Utd's trip there.

Manchester United supporters have been warned of a security scare ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League semi-final with Milan, after evidence was uncovered suggesting that Roma's Ultras are planning to head to the game.

Violence has marred United's last two ventures into Europe, with trouble erupting both inside and outside the grounds at their matches with Lille and Roma. Although Uefa indicated United were the secondary party in both instances, the club were still fined £6,300 and £14,500 for their involvement in the respective incidents, the second of which led to a major restructuring of the security policy inside Italian stadiums.

With the first leg of the Milan clash passing off peacefully at Old Trafford last week, it had been hoped the decider at the San Siro would also be trouble free. However, the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association has discovered information that some of the Ultras are heading north in an attempt to cause trouble.

Imusa's report, which has been passed on to United officials, has warned that trains on the Rome-Milan route tomorrow, which would normally be relatively empty, are actually booked up. Fans have also been advised not to wear United colours, or even speak English for fear of igniting more trouble, highlighting the fighting and knife attacks which occured this weekend when Lazio and Roma met at the Stadio Olimpico.

Imusa chairman Mark Longden, whose organisation is currently pursuing a legal case against the Italian police for the brutal manner with which they dealt with United fans in Rome, has urged supporters to be vigilant. "All I can say is anyone travelling to the game should be aware," he said. "Everyone knows what happened in Lille and, in particular Rome. If what we have been told is correct, it should just make everyone take a little bit more care."

The report arrived at Old Trafford too late for any specific information to be passed on to the 5,000 United fans who have tickets for the game. However, given the criticism United attracted for the pointed - and, as it turned out, accurate - warnings for their supporters in Rome, it is debatable whether they would have been willing to provide such forceful security advice again, especially as their relations with Milan are good