NIENTE ALCOLICI - In vista della gara di mercoledì sono stati presi provvedimenti per prevenire problemi di ordine pubblico. Il prefetto Lombardi ha disposto per l'intera giornata (dalle 7 all'orario di chiusura degli esercizi) la sospensione della vendita di alcolici e superalcolici allo stadio Meazza e nelle aree limitrofe, in centro all'interno della cerchia dei navigli e all'aeroporto di Linate. Esclusi dal provvedimento i ristoranti, che potranno servire alcolici nella sola zona adibita alla ristorazione, ma non in quella eventualmente riservata al bar. La sospensione - spiega la prefettura - è motivata dal fatto che «in occasione di altre partite internazionali si è verificato che gruppi di tifosi hanno creato turbative all'ordine pubblico, anche a causa del consumo di bevande alcoliche». Per Milan-Manchester è previsto a Milano l'arrivo di diverse migliaia di sostenitori dei Red Devils. La quota di biglietti assegnata alla tifoseria inglese è di 4.500 tagliandi.

Intanto gia' domani con i primi arrivi se ne vedranno delle belle in centro....

A Milano le manifestazioni sono due ( ■ I percorsi). Entrambe mostrano dei limiti. La passeggiata rituale del mattino, proposta dai confederali, è diventata: a) un'occasione per verificare chi, tra i rappresentanti delle istituzioni, ha raccolto l'invito a partecipare; b) chi sarà fischiato. La Mayday Parade contro il precariato del pomeriggio — organizzata da Cub (confederazione unitaria di base) e Chain Workers (un gruppo vicino al centro sociale La Pergola) — sul piano dei numeri ha surclassato il corteo confederale (centomila persone l'anno scorso). Ma spesso i riflettori si spostano su atti di vandalismo e slogan politicamente scorretti («Dieci, cento, mille Nassiriya»).

UEFA has asked Manchester United to warn travelling supporters to cut down on their drinking ahead of the Champions League semi-final trip to face AC Milan.

Just a week after United fans were attacked inside and outside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, they discovered they will face another visit to Italy on 2 May as Sir Alex Ferguson's side look to ensure an all-English final in Athens

A UEFA investigation is currently ongoing into the events surrounding the first leg of the Old Trafford club's quarter-final tie with AS Roma. But, while many observers felt it was the visiting fans who were wronged - both at that game and in the previous round against Lille when trouble also flared - UEFA spokesman William Gaillard does not believe United can completely absolve themselves of all responsibility.

And, while he does not expect trouble at the San Siro, where United were beaten by Milan as recently as 2005, he does believe it is time to reinforce requested standards of behaviour.

"There are no special concerns about the game in Milan," he said. "It is a different city, a different stadium and a different team. There was trouble in Seville last week [when Tottenham played Sevilla in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals first leg] but none on Tuesday when Chelsea played Valencia.

"If everyone behaves in a proper way, we should have a smooth sailing but Manchester United has to brief its fans and tell them what is appropriate.

"There has been a problem with drink and it would be nice if the supporters were advised not to do it. I realise this is a difficult thing but people are putting themselves at risk because they stop behaving in a rational way. UEFA are still investigating what happened in Rome, so we have to be careful, but there is shared responsibility for most situations, even if there is not equal responsibility."

SUNSEEKERS are expected to pack Britain's beaches again today as the country enjoys the hottest day of the year so far - with temperatures soaring to 25C (77F).

Tens of thousands flocked to Bournemouth beach yesterday, where temperatures rocketed into the 70s. One day-tripper, Victoria Bergin, from Manchester, said: "It's amazing to think that in April I'm sitting on the beach, sunning myself. If this is global warming then I'm all for it."

In Brighton, student Emma Graysmark, 21, put on her bikini and joined thousands of others on the pebbly beach. And in Lowestoft, Suffolk, two-year-old Emily Howath gave her family's garden a much-needed watering

The hottest of today's weather will be in southern England, although there will be a risk of thunderstorms later in the day.

The north and Scotland will be fair and Liverpool will enjoy temperatures up to 20C (68F). Showers are expected in the West Midlands and Wales.

This month is on course to be the warmest April since records began in 1659.

It's not all good news on the weather front, however. The heatwave will bring with it the first smog of the year. Today's high ozone levels are likely to last until Tuesday.

A PARTY to launch a book about football rivalry in Sheffield had to be abandoned at halftime... due to crowd trouble.
Divide of the Steel City - written by Wednesdayite Tony Cronshaw and Blades fan Steve Cowens - concentrates on how rivalry between fans of the two Sheffield clubs since the 1800s has often led to trouble.
But it was the fans of only one club who didn't see eye to eye at the launch party.

Such is the rivalry that it was decided to have two book launches - one for each club.

The Wednesday launch, took place at the Embassy Foxwood Club on Mansfield Road, Intake, where round 350 specially invited Wednesdayites packed into the club to listen to Sham 69 tribute band Electric Zoo.

But the party was cut short at around 10.30pm when sections of the crowd became rowdy. One visitor who left just before the party ended said: "There was quite a lot of shouting and singing and one or two books were being thrown.

"There were some pretty big, mean looking blokes in there so we left before it kicked off."

Tony Cronshaw, aged 51, explained: "It was getting a bit boisterous and there was a lot of singing and taunting going on.

"We thought we had better cut the party short before it escalated.

"So staff were asked to bring the shutters down. There was no real trouble."

The book, available in hardback priced £17.99, is printed in two halves with half of it upside down so it appears that each club's section is printed at the front.

Published Date: 26 April 2007
Source: Sheffield Star
Location: Sheffield
Football yobs booked