More Police for Man derby

EXTRA police officers will be on duty for Wednesday’s potentially explosive League Cup semi-final between bitter rivals Manchester United and Manchester City, amid fears the tie could turn ugly.

City won the first leg 2-1 at Eastlands but the clash was marred by fighting in and outside Eastlands, which led the police to make 18 arrests.A furious verbal spat between City striker Carlos Tevez and United defender Gary Neville, which saw both players gesture at each other during the game, has raised the temperature even further.Tevez described Neville as a ‘boot-licker’ and a ‘moron’ after the match and, with 9 000 City fans set to make the short trip across Manchester, the police are taking no chances.An additional 75 police officers will be on duty and spot checks will be made at pubs around the ground, in what is described as ‘the highest risk’ game at Old Trafford this season.Ian Hopkins, assistant chief constable of the Greater Manchester Police Department, revealed talks will take place tomorrow with United and City officials and the Football Association in a bid to prevent any trouble.He told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek: ‘I will be meeting with both the clubs again, along with the FA, to discuss the general crowd behaviour and make sure that they understand their responsibility not to do anything that’s likely to incite the crowd.’We will make the point very strongly that the players are professionals. They need to recognise the impact they can have on the crowd and it’s going to be really passionate again on Wednesday. There’s a lot at stake for both teams and for the fans.’ – Supersoccer