Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United face compensation demand after Oakwell rampage
Barnsley expect Manchester United to pay compensation for the damagecaused by their supporters during Tuesday's Carling Cup clash atOakwell.[LNB] United have already promised to ban any supporters found guilty ofthe trouble that led to eight arrests, and could now face a hefty billafter fans looted food and drink kiosks on the concourse of theChampionship club's North Stand.[LNB] Barnsley general manager Don Rowing said: 'I've spoken with United and they are sympathetic to what's happened.[LNB] Carnage: Canteen is covered in debris after crowd disturbances at Oakwell[LNB] 'I've sent them some photos and am hopeful they will see themselves in a position to help. I would hope they will make some kind of contribution towards it.[LNB] 'We've not assessed the damage yet but it doesn't look good - it will be in the thousands rather than the hundreds. We'll work with them and hope for goodwill.' [LNB] The incident is one of several to be investigated by the FA who will study reports from their crowd control adviser at the game and referee Chris Foy before deciding what action to take.[LNB] Police were also hit with bottles, with one suffering a minor facial injury, food was thrown at match stewards, and three Barnsley fans were arrested after they invaded the pitch and took the ball off United goalkeeper Ben Foster.[LNB] It is the second time crowd trouble has hit the Carling Cup this season after the FA charged West Ham United and Millwall over the scenes that marred their tie at Upton Park in August.[LNB] Rowing added: 'I'm very angry that people could do what they've done. To threaten the staff and steal the money is tantamount to robbery with violence.[LNB] 'The staff don't deserve that. It was a frightening experience for them and they've been traumatised by events.[LNB] Thick blue line: Police in front of the United fans[LNB] 'They're here to do a job, and you get these mindless idiots who come along just to disrupt proceedings.[LNB] 'Hopefully with CCTV footage we can put these people where they belong.' [LNB] Troubled flared on the concourse before half-time when staff refused to serve United fans alcohol on the advice of police. Supporters forced their way into the catering area and eight members of staff had to take refuge in a storeroom for 25 minutes.[LNB] A spokesman for the catering company said: 'The fans kicked down the door of the beer bar, jumped the counter and stole the beer.[LNB] 'It's difficult to say how many because the concourses are so narrow here but it was in the hundreds.[LNB] 'The police came in and restored order in that bar and the fans then moved on further down the concourse and attacked the two food bars - one at each end of the concourse. Two of the bars are not too bad but one is completely trashed.[LNB] 'The fans jumped over the counter and in one case kicked the door in, and started attacking the staff with tomato sauce.[LNB] Pitch battle: United striker Michael Owen (left) goes in bravely for a header[LNB] 'All of our staff are teenagers and they were absolutely terrified. They backed off into the storeroom and locked themselves in. Fortunately nobody was injured.[LNB] 'Last night there were a lot of tears. We've spoken to most of them this morning and they seem very ebullient. I think they'll be back.' [LNB] South Yorkshire Police confirmed five men from Manchester had been arrested - two for public order offences, one for theft and another for throwing a missile onto the pitch. In a separate incident, a 19-year-old man was arrested for possession of a controlled drug.[LNB] They are working closely with United - who allocated tickets through a ballot of members instead of putting them on open sale - and Barnsley to identify any other offenders.[LNB] An Old Trafford spokesman said: 'The thugs who spoil the reputation of the team and fellow supporters have no place at Manchester United.[LNB] 'The club will support strongly any actions taken should the culprits be identified, and we would support the pursuit of banning orders by the police on anyone convicted of any offence at Oakwell.' [LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson lost top spot at Liverpool and is now public enemy No 1 with referees, but let's remember that he is ... STILL THE GREATESTMichael Owen is as good as he ever was, says Manchester United team-mate Jonny Evans[LNB] [LNB]
