Seven arrests at Man City game as missiles thrown and protestors storm pitch

GMP said 'weeks of planning 'went into tonight's clash against Galatasaray

Greater Manchester Police have made seven arrests during tonight's clash between Manchester City and Galatasaray after protestors invaded the pitch and missiles were thrown in the stands.

But a major policing operation was already underway hours before this, as thousands of Galatasaray fans took to the streets of Manchester to march from Exchange Square to the Etihad this afternoon (January 28).

Officers lined the streets to contain the away fans, who were chanting and setting off fireworks and bright red flares as they went.

Around 50 minutes into the game, which ended 2-0 to the hosts, the Champions League clash was stopped in dramatic scenes as several protestors invaded the pitch, bearing what appeared to be the Kurdistan flag.

Boos rang out around the stadium as the protestors were eventually contained by stewards. An eye-witness also told the M.E.N he had witnessed 'a few altercations' in the City stand and 'items being thrown' from the away stand into the home stand.

GMP confirmed tonight that a total of seven arrests had been made, with three relating to pitch encroachment, three relating to public order offences and another relating to a missile thrown onto the pitch.

Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, GMP's Gold commander for the game, said in a statement: “Big European football nights in Manchester are always an exciting occasion but can be dynamic and challenging.

"On Wednesday night we had significant resources out in the city to ensure thousands of supporters safely got to and from the game.

“We made seven arrests during the game: three were in relation to pitch encroachment, three were on suspicion of public order offences, and another was after a missile was thrown on the pitch.

“We know that there is always the risk of disruption for the wider public. We put weeks of planning into fixtures of this kind alongside partners from Manchester and beyond to ensure all people can go about the city safely and with minimal delay.

“I’m grateful to all officers, staff, and support agencies for their hard work through the day and into the night on this operation. I also thank the majority of fans and the wider public for their cooperation through the evening.”