To take this a smudge off topic, I got thinking a about a story a few years ago when some british troops were filmed knocking the crap out iraqi prisoners. I condemed them then, and to be honest I think the police do engage in the same behaviour from time to time. I've had an unjustifable kicking (and related arrest) from a cop years ago.
Abuse of power by the police or a fight or flight reaction when faced with large numbers of hostile people ? Dunno. I'm willing to give the cops a free pass on this one, it's not like it was done in cold blood.
I might have been wrong a couple of years ago on the iraqi thing. Not sure. Pretty sure the police were provoked, they didn't charge into a quiet lawful crowd with battons drawn. Bit excessive in places? Sure, but no one is dead.
Another though has just occurred to me, hasn't every european final Rangers has ever played in been against russian opposition, and didn't it end badly in a riot last time too.
