Police step in as football fans 'hurl fireworks' in chaotic scenes in Manchester city centre

Police stepped in as Dutch football fans 'hurled fireworks' in chaotic scenes in Manchester city centre last night.

The scenes of disorder erupted on Deansgate and on surrounding streets yesterday evening (Tuesday). An eyewitness described how he saw 'around 100 young men wearing balaclavas and black clothing' walking towards the main road through the city centre.

He said the group could then be seen letting off fireworks 'towards people' and 'causing panic in the area'. The eyewitness, a taxi driver, called the police.

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"The situation escalated quickly, and the police were called in to deal with the chaos", he said. "People were screaming and trying to get away from the scene, and Deansgate became a zone of panic."

The group involved in the disorder were believed to be FC Twente fans, the Manchester Evening News understands. The fans are in the city ahead of the Dutch team's match with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League tonight.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to reports of a disorder in the city centre on Tuesday evening. No reports of criminal damage were made and no injuries were reported.

No arrests were made. The group was safely dispersed from the area.

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