Citation

Millward P. Int. Rev. Sociol. Sport 2009; 44(4): 381-398.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, International Sociology of Sport Association, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1012690209344658

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

On 14 May 2008 Glasgow Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg contested the UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium. Zenit St Petersburg won the match but the event was marred by violent clashes between Glasgow Rangers supporters and Greater Manchester Police’s Tactical Support Group officers in Manchester city centre during the game. News coverage largely attached blame for the disorder upon Glasgow Rangers’ supporters, however, this article, principally drawing upon participant observation material supported by other relevant literature, will argue that responsibility is diffuse across a number of constituencies and that Rangers fans alone should not be blamed for the degeneration of a ‘fan party’ into a ‘hooligan riot’.