City planning for ticketless fans

Tens of thousands of Rangers fans are likely to travel

Talks are ongoing over whether to erect big screens to allow ticketless fans to watch the Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

Up to 100,000 supporters are expected in the city for the Glasgow Rangers v Zenit St Petersburg match at the City of Manchester stadium on 14 May.

Last week, officials urged fans not to go to Manchester if they did not have a ticket for the 47,000-capacity game.

But the council now says that travel and entertainment will be laid on for those who do arrive without tickets.

Uefa has allocated 13,000 tickets to Russian fans and a similar number to Rangers, although tens of thousands are expected to make the trip from Glasgow.

Greater Manchester Police Ch Supt Gerry Donnellan, the match commander, said he would be meeting Rangers fans in Glasgow on Friday to discuss their concerns.

Realistically, city chiefs know that thousands will want to be near their club during the crucial match Manchester City Council spokesman

"We are really looking forward to giving a warm Manchester welcome to all the fans making the journey down," he said.

"I want to explain to the supporters exactly what is happening in terms of the policing operation, what they can expect from my officers and what we expect from them."

Although Manchester City Council is still urging fans not to travel without a ticket, a spokesman said: "Realistically, city chiefs know that thousands will want to be near their club during the crucial match."

The authority revealed on Wednesday that entertainment, food and drink would be made available in dedicated fan zones for supporters in locations including Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens.

Council officials are urging businesses, pubs and hotels in the city to help create a "carnival atmosphere" for fans of both clubs.

Councillor Pat Karney, city centre spokesman, said: "It's going to be a fantastic busy day and we are making plans so that everyone can enjoy themselves.

"Fans will be ambassadors for their clubs and their cities, so our message to them is, 'Please don't let down your home city'."

As well as the fan zones, there will be a series of three-a-side football tournaments in Castlefield and shuttle buses from the city centre to the stadium.

Council and police chiefs will continue to work on the plans right up until the day of the game, and a decision on the big screens is expected by the weekend.