MPs may probe Uefa Cup violence

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A committee of MPs has said it may hold an inquiry into the violence which flared after Rangers appeared in the Uefa Cup Final in Manchester.

The Scottish Affairs Committee said it could carry out its own probe after the results of an investigation by Manchester City Council were published.

Police made 42 arrests as rioting involving Rangers fans left 15 officers injured and a Russian fan stabbed.

Rangers lost the final 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg on 14 May.

Committee chairman Mohammed Sarwar, the MP for Glasgow Central, said it would be looking closely at the findings of the council report before deciding whether to hold its own inquiry.

Wider inquiry

The council investigation is to focus on what caused a big screen, which had been due to show the match to thousands of ticketless Rangers fans, to fail shortly before kick-off.

But several Scottish politicians, including First Minister Alex Salmond, have called for a wider inquiry into what caused the violence.

Mr Sarwar said: "I, like the rest of my committee colleagues, was saddened to see scenes of violence on what should have been a night to celebrate the achievements of one of Scotland's most successful football teams.

"We keenly await the findings of Manchester City Council's inquiry and as a result the committee may look further into events of 14 May."

Greater Manchester Police released CCTV footage of the violence, which showed Pc Mick Regan being kicked, punched and stamped on by a mob of Rangers fans after he fell to the ground.

Pc Regan escaped serious injury after being rescued by former soldier Tom Bardsley, who dragged him free from his attackers.