FOOTBALL thugs were told they should be ashamed' of themselves after United and Leeds fans clashed in 'running battles' in the city centre.
Three more fans were hauled before a judge after being caught on camera as ugly scenes unfolded ahead of a Premier League clash between the bitter rivals.
Bosses at a branch of Caffe Nero on Deansgate locked their doors after supporters threw chairs and other items including traffic cones and signs, mugs, bottles and flares.
Fighting broke out before police intervened and separated the thugs ahead of the Saturday afternoon game on August 14, 2021. The trio, who appeared at Manchester Crown Court, were told that if they had appeared in the dock months after the disorder, rather than three years later, that they would 'almost certainly' have been locked up.
But Judge Nicholas Dean KC said there would now be 'no deterrent value' in jailing 22-year-old Alex Williams; 24-year-old Cameron Benn, and 27-year-old Connor Robertson.
This story is from the November 06, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 06, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HAVING A BALL
IT'S TIME TO GET SPORTY. MARION MCMULLEN FINDS OUT HOW THE HIT TV QUIZ TRIO OF SUE BARKER, MATT DAWSON, PHIL TUFNELL ARE BACK TOGETHER FOR A TOUR OF LIVE SHOWS
TIME IS RUNNING OUT AS RASHFORD LOOKS TO LEAVE
MARCUS Rashford remains out of the United squad with only a few days remaining of the winter transfer window.
Blues rake in £26m after a Euro wobble
CITY avoided a calamitous exit from the Champions League with their second half comeback vs Club Brugge.
Club's offer to budding DJs
ONE of Manchester's newest nightclubs, which boasts a strict no phone policy, has unveiled plans for a new £5 weekly event featuring aspiring DJs.
'WE CAN BEAT WHOEVER COMES NEXT'
THERE was relief in the City dressing room after their Champions League escape act vs Club Brugge - which quickly turned to defiance as the squad made their way out of the Etihad.
Timing of crunch matches in Europe couldn't be worse
CITY'S season could be about to get even tougher after their lacklustre Champions League performances left Pep Guardiola with a fixtures headache.
Pep bullish over City's chances as they prepare to face giant
GUARDIOLA FIRES WARNING TO EUROPEAN CHALLENGERS
KEANE - RASH SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIS EXILE AT UNITED
FORMER United skipper Roy Keane has told England striker Marcus Rashford he should be 'ashamed' at his exile.
New rule surrounding any fire sale at Salford
THE RFL has granted clubs dispensation to sign Salford Red Devils' quota players if the Super League side is forced into a fire sale.
HATTERS BOSS STILL IN HUNT FOR SIGNINGS
COUNTY boss Dave Challinor says his side are still on the hunt for transfer window additions this month, and expects a minimum of two more new faces to join Middlesbrough loanee Micah Hamilton through the doors at Edgeley Park.
