[06 NOV 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Stabbing In Football Street Fracas

A man was taken to hospital with stab wounds after a fracas broke out following Coventry’s game with Manchester United yesterday.

Dozens of police were called to Far Gosford Street as the trouble erupted after the game.

The man was taken to Coventry and Warwickshire hospital for treatment, but he later left before police could interview him.

A search for his name on the local electoral roll suggests he is not from the area.

Clashes between rival sets of supports carried on into the evening.

Police were later called to Broadgate and ushered some fans away from the area.

It is not know which team they were supporting.

During the match, which Manchester United won 2-1, some fans of the champions were ejected from the ground after being spotted by stewards in the Coventry end.

They club has imposed strict measures to try and separate fans in this fixture, as so many Manchester united fans live locally, it is difficult to weed them out from Sky Blues fans.

Yesterday’s game was not a sell-out as some supporters decided not to fulfil all the conditions - usually buying tickets for less popular games – to get a ticket for this match.

Others decided that the result was a foregone conclusion, leaving the Red Devils in the unusual position of playing in front of empty seats.