UEFA could punish Liverpool and United following crowd trouble

Manchester United and Liverpool could be hit by UEFA sanctions after violence flared at Old Trafford last night.

It would appear that an incident kicked off after a number of Liverpool fans unfurled a Liverpool flag in the home section among Manchester United supporters.

Police intervened and escorted the Liverpool fans out of the stand once things were brought under control.

Greater Manchester police made five arrests, two of them on suspicion of affray and one for lighting a flare.

Superintendent Jim Liggett of the Greater Manchester Police said: “There were a handful of concerning incidents which are currently being investigated.

“We have made a total of five arrests however the behaviour of the majority of fans in attendance was excellent and I would like to thank them for their co-operation throughout.”

Prior to the game kicking off, police had to remove an offensive banner which greeted Liverpool fans on a bridge over the M602 which said ‘Murderers’.

Inside the stadium it is claimed that a banner in the away section housing the Liverpool fans said ‘Hang the Roma 4’ which was in reference to United supporters who were convicted in 2007 of fighting with police in the Italian capital but who later had their jail sentences reduced on appeal.

There were also reports of “two very faint separate ‘murderers’ chants from the Stretford End” during the second half.

Both clubs will now wait to see if UEFA take any action for all that nonsense.

UPDATED: UEFA open disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool and Manchester United