Manchester United stars brother beaten up by city fans

19 April 2010 15:18
The brother of Manchester United starlet Mame Biram Diouf was assaulted outside Eastlands on Saturday as violence once again marred the Manchester derby. It is understood that Abdul Biram Diouf, 28, was punched and kicked and thrown into a bush by a group of Manchester City fans as he left the stadium after United's 1-0 win in the Barclays Premier League. It is not known if Diouf's attackers knew his identity and nobody has been arrested in connection with the assault. But the Senegalese man was wearing his 22-year-old brother's United shirt from the Carling Cup final and it had his surname on the back. Concern for brother: United starlet Mame Biram Diouf Last night the agent of United striker Diouf, Jim Solbakken, said: 'There was an incident after the match. He was attacked from behind by some Manchester City supporters as he was walking away from the ground. Fortunately there was no need for medical treatment and he got away without any serious injuries.' It is the third major incident in Manchester derbies. There was the bust-up between Carlos Tevez and Gary Neville in the first leg of the Carling Cup sem-final in January and then Craig Bellamy was hit by a coin and had a bottle thrown at him in the return leg at Old Trafford. Saturday's derby reached a thrilling conclusion as Paul Scholes's header in the third minute of added time gave United the victory that, coupled with Chelsea's subsequent defeat at Tottenham, blew the title race wide open again. But events outside the ground once again sullied the name of Manchester football as, for the second time this season, rival sets of fans went toe-to-toe in the streets surrounding City's stadium. Serious disorder marred City's Carling Cup win at Eastlands in January and the latest outbreak of trouble saw police make 20 arrests. It is understood that one group of fans came very close to turning over a police van at one stage, while others even threw horse dung at each other with their bare hands. Last night fans caught up in the trouble blamed Greater Manchester police for not holding United fans inside the ground until the streets around Eastlands had cleared. There were more disturbances in Manchester city centre and surrounding suburbs during the evening. Meanwhile, United captain Neville is unlikely to face FA action for his celebration after Scholes's goal. Neville is already on a warning after the manner in which he celebrated Michael Owen's late derby winner at Old Trafford last September and on this occasion ran the length of the pitch kissing the badge on his shirt in front of City fans. Madchester: Bellamy was pelted with coins and plastic cider bottles at Old Trafford earlier this season The FA will not officially decide whether to take action until today but sources last night indicated that Neville was probably on the right side of the line in terms of what is deemed acceptable. Neville himself believes United can now pip league leaders Chelsea and win their 19th championship. He said: 'Our title challenge was probably expected to end on Saturday but we've given ourselves hope. 'For us to score so late in the game proves we still have that never-say-die spirit that has been a big feature of our performances over the years. It was great to be part of the victory and there is no sweeter way to win a big game than in the last minute. 'Obviously we would prefer to be in Chelsea's position because they are ahead, but we know if we win our three remaining matches and Chelsea slip up again, the title will be ours. 'We were hoping there would be twists and turns before the end of the season and we hope there are more to come.'  MANCHESTER UNITED

Source: Daily_Mail