Police officer held over Uefa Cup final riot

A police officer in Britain has been arrested on suspicion he was one of hundreds of hooligans involved in a riot ahead of the…

A police officer in Britain has been arrested on suspicion he was one of hundreds of hooligans involved in a riot ahead of the Uefa Cup final last year in Manchester city centre.

Manchester police said today they had arrested an officer with Essex Police who was off duty at the time. He has not been named.

Trouble began before kick-off between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg last May.

The man was allegedly caught on CCTV camera in central Manchester as police fought running battles with fans who caused widespread criminal damage.

"The 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and has been released on bail pending further inquiries until 2nd June," Manchester police said in a statement.

Two policemen were badly beaten and many fans sustained minor injuries during the disturbance, police said.

Reuters