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      Micah Richards denies being Roy Keane’s ‘puppy’ after defending his ‘friend’ when he was ‘headbutted by fan’

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      MICAH Richards today denied he was Roy Keane’s “puppy” after defending his “friend” when he was allegedly headbutted by a fan.Scott Law, 43, is accused of knocking the ex-Utd player through a set of doors after violence erupted at the Emirates.Roy Keane was allegedly seen elbowing a football fan who ‘headbutted’ himMicah Richards was then seen restraining Scott LawThe brawl erupted at the Emirates as Arsenal played Man UtdMicah Richards gave evidence at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court todayCredit: Andrew StyczynskiScott Law denies the charges against himCredit: PAKeane, 52, was celebrating a goal from his former side against Arsenal when he was attacked, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.But Law claims he was just rushing to the toilet when the Sky Sports pundit ambushed him and called him a “fat c***”.He also claims “aggressive” Keane gestured to “meet him outside” during the September 3 melee.Richards was seen in CCTV footage stepping in to restrain Law before the alleged attacker fled the scene.Read more newsThe Sky Sports pundit today denied he was Keane’s “puppy” as he told the court he “did what any friend would”.Richards added: “I grappled with him. I said what did you do that for? He was saying f***ing this, f***ing that.“I grabbed him and moved him down the corridor.“I had him, I couldn’t hold him for long enough so he run off. I was trying to restrain him until security arrived.Most read in Football“He said ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry’.”‘Why did you have to say that?’ says Micah Richards as Wayne Rooney destroys him with hilarious quip live on BBCRichards said Keane was “physically massively shaken up” after Law “arched his head back” during the brawl.The ex-England ace added: “I felt a bit sorry for Roy. I was shocked and so was Roy, we were in disbelief. I think he handled it quite well.“I intervened, I felt sorry for Roy, he came to work to do his job and he was assaulted.“I did what any friend would do, I stopped him and diffused the situation.”But defence lawyer Charles Sherrard KC branded Richards “Roy Keane’s stooge” and said he believes there was never a headbutt.Richards then told the court his colleague was just “trying to defend himself” after footage apparently showed Keane elbowing Law in the aftermath.Mr Sherrard said: “I’m going to suggest this is where you are Mr Keane’s puppy. It’s an uppercut elbow to the nose.”But Richards said he didn’t agree, and also denied a footballer would get sent off for displaying similar tactics.The former Man City star also accused Mr Sherrard of trying to “mince my words” after branding him a “liar on the stand”.He added: “I know what I saw. You can dress it up however you want to.”The elbow came in the aftermath of the alleged headbutt incidentKeane has been accused of using ‘gratuitous violence’He yelled for someone to call the police as Richards stepped in to helpIn his own evidence today, Law claimed Keane was “puffing his cheeks out” and banging on the window of the Sky box at the Emirates before the mayhem.He said he had “never really seen that behaviour from someone who was working in the Sky box”.Law added: “Mr Keane picked me out and started telling me to see him outside. He was pointing to doors in the box.”The dad was watching Arsenal take on Utd when Keane, 52, celebrated a goal from his former club.He claimed he went inside the stadium to go to the toilet and encountered the ex-footballer, who “collided into him”.Prosecutor Simon Jones KC asked: “Are you seriously saying that Roy Keane ran into the top of your head?”Law, who cried while being questioned, said: “I put my head down in a defensive manner to protect my face.”Inside Roy Keane and Micah Richards’ unlikely bromance
      Roy Keane and Micah Richards may have been separated by the Manchester divide as players.
      But they have been thick as thieves since forming an unlikely friendship as pundits.
      The duo initially appeared to be chalk and cheese while appearing on Sky Sports.
      But despite their differing personalities, they have an underlying respect.
      Fun-loving ex-City star Richards, 35, once said of his notoriously grump United pal: “Never did I think we’d have a relationship like that. Working with him is an absolute pleasure.
      “I’m in awe of him.”
      Ahead of Euro 2020, the pair starred in their own show together, with their on-screen chemistry and friendship clear for all to see.
      The five-episode series, titled “Micah and Roy’s Road to Wembley”, followed the pair during that summer’s European Championships.

      Keane was previously accused of taking “glory” in his reputation as “a hard man” as he was grilled over infamous tackles during his career.Mr Sherrard also referenced Keane holding the record for the most red cards in English football.He then suggested Keane had used “gratuitous violence” by smashing Law in the face.The lawyer said: “How are you stopping somebody getting away with an elbow to the face – with your bent arm?“That was your way of retaliating. You were the only person who delivered any unlawful violence. There was no need for that was there?”That injury to Mr Law’s nose was caused by you, in that way, in that moment.”But taking the stand, Keane denied all the allegations, with the court told he was actually carrying a bag in each hand at the time.He said: “I was assaulted in the workplace as a pundit and I was trying to stop him getting away.”That was my only intention.”Keane claimed he and Richards were heading down for the final match analysis when contact was made with his face that sent him backwards through a set of doors.The pundit continued: “The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.”Keane told the court he saw the attacker being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn’t “run off”.The footie hardman then started yelling for someone to “call the police” as his fellow pundit loosened his grip on Law, who fled.Keane, who suffered bruising on his chest and arms, added: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.”The court heard the ex-footballers had been commenting on the game from a glass studio before the attack on September 3.Law was sat in front of the room when he noticed Keane celebrating a Utd goal, which was later chalked off by VAR.Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court this was a “catalyst” for the “shocking and unlawful” attack.”Hyped-up” Law then made his way to an area where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest – knocking him backwards.The married dad fled the scene following the brawl but was arrested the following day, it was said.He told officers in a prepared statement how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner” – causing him to throw his head back in self-defence.Law said: “Throughout the match there was what I would regard as banter between me and Mr Keane.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The banter turned more aggressive with Mr Keane gesturing towards me to meet him outside.”Law denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.Micah denied he was Roy Keane’s ‘stooge’Credit: Rights reservedKeane appeared in court to give evidence previouslyCredit: PA More

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      Moment Roy Keane ‘elbows’ football fan who ‘headbutted him’ during brawl before Micah Richards restrains supporter

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      THIS is the moment Roy Keane allegedly elbowed a football fan after he was “headbutted” during a brawl.Scott Law, 43, is accused of knocking the ex-Utd player through a set of doors after violence erupted at the Emirates.Footage allegedly shows Roy Keane elbowing a fan after he was ‘headbutted’Credit: Standard Micah Richards then steps in to restrain Scott Law, who later fledCredit: Standard The brawl erupted at the Emirates as Arsenal played Man UtdKeane, 52, was celebrating a goal from his former side against Arsenal when he was attacked, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.But Law claims he was just rushing to the toilet when the Sky Sports pundit ambushed him and called him a “fat c***”.He also claims “aggressive” Keane gestured to “meet him outside” during the melee.Footage now shows the former footballer allegedly throwing an elbow at the supporter’s face in the aftermath of the fight.Keane’s fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards then steps in to restrain Law before the alleged attacker fled the scene.Richards was heard saying: “Are you crazy? Are you f***ing mad? Say sorry.”The pundit said later: “Someone needs to arrest him, he’s just assaulted Roy Keane, don’t let him go.”JPs heard today Keane did not assault Law with an elbow to the face during the chaos.Most read in FootballDC Phillip Dickinson, from the Met’s Public Order Unit, said: “I don’t believe it was an intentional elbow to the face looking at the footage.”There may have been contact but it does not look like a deliberate elbow to the face in my opinion.” ‘I’m happy to be proved wrong,’ says Roy Keane as Man Utd legend eats his words about current star after FA Cup triumphBut defence lawyer Charles Sherrard KC branded the claims “absolute nonsense”.It came after the lawyer yesterday accused Keane of taking “glory” in his reputation as “a hard man” as he was grilled over infamous tackles during his career.He also referenced Keane holding the record for the most red cards in English football.Mr Sherrard brought up the 2001 horror tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland – telling to the court how the ex-footballer later revealed he “wanted to hurt him”.He then suggested Keane had used “gratuitous violence” by smashing Law in the face.The lawyer said: “How are you stopping somebody getting away with an elbow to the face – with your bent arm?“That was your way of retaliating. You were the only person who delivered any unlawful violence. There was no need for that was there?”That injury to Mr Law’s nose was caused by you, in that way, in that moment.”The elbow came in the aftermath of the alleged headbutt incidentCredit: Standard Keane has been accused of using ‘gratuitous violence’Credit: StandardHe yelled for someone to call the police as Richards stepped in to helpCredit: StandardBut taking the stand, Keane denied all the allegations, with the court told he was actually carrying a bag in each hand at the time.He said: “I was assaulted in the workplace as a pundit and I was trying to stop him getting away. “That was my only intention.”Keane claimed he and Richards were heading down for the final match analysis when contact was made with his face that sent him backwards through a set of doors.The pundit continued: “The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.”Keane told the court he saw the attacker being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn’t “run off”.The footie hardman then started yelling for someone to “call the police” as his fellow pundit loosened his grip on Law, who fled.Keane, who suffered bruising on his chest and arms, added: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.”The court heard the ex-footballers had been commenting on the game from a glass studio before the attack on September 3.Law was sat in front of the room when he noticed Keane celebrating a Utd goal, which was later chalked off by VAR.Inside Roy Keane and Micah Richards’ unlikely bromance
      Roy Keane and Micah Richards may have been separated by the Manchester divide as players.
      But they have been thick as thieves since forming an unlikely friendship as pundits.
      The duo initially appeared to be chalk and cheese while appearing on Sky Sports.
      But despite their differing personalities, they have an underlying respect.
      Fun-loving ex-City star Richards, 35, once said of his notoriously grump United pal: “Never did I think we’d have a relationship like that. Working with him is an absolute pleasure.
      “I’m in awe of him.”
      Ahead of Euro 2020, the pair starred in their own show together, with their on-screen chemistry and friendship clear for all to see.
      The five-episode series, titled “Micah and Roy’s Road to Wembley”, followed the pair during that summer’s European Championships.

      Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court this was a “catalyst” for the “shocking and unlawful” attack.”Hyped-up” Law then made his way to an area where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest – knocking him backwards.The married dad fled the scene following the brawl but was arrested the following day, it was said.He told officers in a prepared statement how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner” – causing him to throw his head back in self-defence.Law said: “Throughout the match there was what I would regard as banter between me and Mr Keane.”The banter turned more aggressive with Mr Keane gesturing towards me to meet him outside.”Law told police he was an “avid football fan” and had seen Keane act violently before on the football pitch, adding that he was “scared” at the time of the incident.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe claimed during a “natural break in the game” he went to use the toilet and was approached by Keane in a “very aggressive manner”, adding: “His face looked angry.”Law denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.Keane, pictured at court yesterday, denied glorifying in his hard man imageCredit: PAScott Law claims he acted in self-defenceCredit: Andrew Styczynski More

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      Roy Keane left ‘in shock’ after fan ‘headbutted him’ during Arsenal game – as he tells court: ‘I missed final two goals’

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      ROY Keane today told a court he was left “in shock” after allegedly being headbutted by football fan during a match.Scott Law, 43, is accused of lashing out at Keane when he cheered a goal from his former club against Arsenal at the Emirates.Micah Richards was seen pinning a man against a wall with Keane nearbyScott Law has denied common assaultCredit: Paul EdwardsRoy Keane pictured leaving court today where he gave evidence at the trialCredit: Paul EdwardsThe United legend has taken the stand at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court today to give evidence.He said he and fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards were heading down for the final match analysis when he was attacked.Keane, 52, added: “There was lots of noise and shouting as you would expect at a football match. “I was just walking and before I knew it, I was hit. I was absolutely not expecting it.”Read more newsKeane said there was “large contact” with the side of his face and chest that knocked him backwards through a set of doors.The pundit continued: “The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.”Keane told the court he saw the attacker being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn’t “run off”.The footie hardman then started yelling for someone to “call the police” as his fellow pundit loosened his grip on Law, who fled.Most read in FootballHe and Richards then headed pitch-side to give their final match analysis.Keane, who suffered bruising on his chest and arms, added: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.” ‘I’m happy to be proved wrong,’ says Roy Keane as Man Utd legend eats his words about current star after FA Cup triumphThe court heard the ex-footballers had been commenting on the game from a glass studio before the attack on September 3.Law was sat in front of the room when he noticed Keane celebrating a Utd goal, which was later chalked off by VAR.Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court this was a “catalyst” for the “shocking and unlawful” attack.He added: “The prosecution case is that from the moment the VAR disallows that Manchester United goal, the defendant, we say, appears to make an obscene gesture towards those in the Sky Sports studio which of course included Roy Keane.”This “aggressive” gesture from the “hyped-up defendant” showed he was “intent on violence from the outset”, the court heard.Law then made his way to an area where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest – knocking him backwards.The married dad fled the scene following the brawl but was arrested the following day, it was said.He told officers in a prepared statement how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner” – causing him to throw his head back in self-defence.Mr Jones said: “There was simply no justification for the defendant’s violence. We say he was clearly the aggressor. READ MORE SUN STORIES”His claims of needing to get a pre-emptive strike in lack credibility.”Law denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.The footie hardman was left with bruisingCredit: PAHe had been commenting on the Arsenal v Utd matchCredit: GettyKeane later gave his thoughts on the match More

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      Moment Majorca riot cops fire rubber bullets at German football ‘ultras’ sending tourists fleeing in Brit hols hotspot

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      THIS is the moment Majorca riot cops chased down and fired rubber bullets at German football “ultras” in a Brit holiday hotspot.Tourists were left fleeing the scene in the Majorcan beach resort of Playa de Palma on Monday evening as officers from the National Police UPR unit looked to break up a group of some fifty people.Riot police armed with weapons charged towards the fansOfficers chased after them down the strip as horrified tourists watched on in horrorThe football ultras could be seen running off into the distancePrevious footage showed around 200 fans outside the Bamboleo bar in Playa de PalmaThe majority were fans of Alemannia Aachen, a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, who have just been promoted to the 3. Liga – Germany’s third tier.The club’s ultras are said to be linked to the extreme right.The group had attacked a doorman at the Bamboleo bar on Carrer del Pare Bartomeu Salvà, near the beach, the Majorca Daily Bulletin report.A fight with other security personnel then followed, it was added, with significant damage caused to the bar.Read more in FootballFootage circulating online captured the moment armed police moved in around 7pm.Officers holding weapons could be seen running after a group clad in yellow and black – the colours of Alemannia Aachen – in front of horrified onlookers.Amongst the chaos on the strip were other tourists fleeing to safety as the police began firing rubber bullets in the direction of the troublemakers.Fellow tourists cowered away on the side of the streets and ran into other bars for cover.Most read in FootballNeighbours described the ordeal as like a “war zone.”Previous footage showed the large group of Alemannia fans congregated outside the Bamboleo bar chanting and drinking from earlier in the day.Pub-drinking England fans are most at risk at Euros from martial arts trained football ultrasAccording to the report, The Palma city council and the National government is expected to send more police to the area.Alemannia Aachen were crowned champions of the Regionalliga West, one of five leagues in the fourth tier of the German football league system, after finishing 12 points clear at the top of the league.They last competed in the third tier during the 2012-13 campaign, six years after they were relegated from the Bundesliga.Football fans heading to Germany for Euro 2024 this summer face a resurgence in far right neo-Nazi hooligans who have been overwhelming the police across Europe.And the worst offenders come from the city with the country’s highest number of billionaires – one typically more associated with bankers than brawlers.Eintracht Frankfurt’s fans have developed such a reputation for violence that they were banned from Napoli’s stadium last year for a Champions League match.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut that didn’t stop them causing mayhem in the Italian city, with their supporters throwing objects, smoke bombs and flares at riot squads, and setting fire to a police car.Their toughest troublemakers – Brigade Nassau – are said to be made up of martial artists, boxers and bouncers.Who are Alemannia Aachen’s ‘ultras’?
      By Tom Malley
      There may be plenty for Alemannia Achen to celebrate following their recent on-pitch success but there are far more serious matters at hand for the fourth-tier German side to content with.
      Known as the “Kartoffelkäfer”, which quite literally translates as “potato beetles”, Alemannia boast some of the country’s most ardours ultras.
      One ultras group, called Karlsbande, currently have their own website, where they explain they meet “several times a week to create flags, double holders or choreographies”.
      They claim how being an ultra is “an attitude to life that accompanies you every day of your life.”
      Two years ago, a known right-wing hooligan group called Boxstaffel 520 was founded, a source told DW.com.
      They remain at the epicentre of an ongoing debate, with experts labelling the club’s support as a hotbed for far-right extremism.
      According to research by the left-wing platform “Rechercheplattform zur Identitären Bewegung”, club officials have been pictured in Instagram posts of some of the club’s right-wing organised supporters.
      In response to mass demonstrations in protest against the rising far right in Germany earlier this year, Alemannia released a questionable social media post.
      “We’re obviously against all forms of hate, incitement and extremism,” it read. “The club would not participate in any demonstrations that “divide society.”
      The club later apologised for the “questionably phrased” post and promised to conduct an internal investigation. More

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      Shocking moment two coaches are set alight as football fans clash before French cup final attended by Emmanuel Macron

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      THIS is the shocking moment two coaches are set alight as football fans clashed before a French cup final.Supporters of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon went on the rampage prior to their meeting at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille this evening where President Emmanuel Macron is in attendance.Thick plumes of black smoke can be seen billowing into the air from the coachesCredit: TwitterA closer view shows an orange fireball as the coaches burnCredit: TwitterSupporters of PSG and Lyon clash in unsavoury scenesCredit: TwitterThick smoke surrounds the hooligans as they battle one another on their way to the French Cup finalCredit: TwitterThe violent scenes between the two sets of fans were videoed at a motorway toll booth in Fresnes-lès-Montauban, near Arras, in northern France.The incidents took place about 62 miles away from the Stade Pierre Mauroy – the venue for tonight’s Coupe de France final.One man was seen being kicked by a mob as he laid on the ground as thick black smoke poured out of a burning vehicle.Hooligans screamed “This is Paris” as one man appealed for calm through a megaphone.Read more in FootballCondemning the trouble, Mr Macron said: “These are sporting events where you must above all be joyful and sporty.”I condemn with the greatest firmness all violence.”I hope things will go as normally as possible this evening,” he added, confirming that he would still be going to the game.An Arras police spokesman confirmed that two coaches were burned out, but there were “no reports of serous injuries.”Most read in FootballThe spokesman did confirm that at least eight police officials were injured in the clashes, however.In Lille itself, there was a huge police presence as fans of the two sides arrived for the match.Moment brawl erupts between Newcastle & PSG fans in front of ‘families with kids’ before Champions League clashAlcohol in glass or metal containers was banned, while different areas were set aside for the respective fans.Earlier this season, a Lyon match against Marseille was called off after fans on a coach were pelted with stones and beer bottles, injuring Lyon coach Fabio Grosso.Grosso, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, sustained facial injuries that required a dozen stitches.One photo showed him with a bandage wrapped around his head, while another captured him on a stretcher with an open gash above his eye and his hand covered in blood.”We have seen just about everything you would not want to see,” French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said at the time.Football fans heading to Germany for Euro 2024 this summer have also been warmed about a resurgence in hooliganism that has been overwhelming the police across Europe.It comes as France prepares to roll out a massive security operation for this year’s summer Olympics, which opens in Paris in July.PSG are aiming to end the season with a domestic treble by winning the French Cup, having already won the Ligue 1 title and clinched the French Super Cup in January.READ MORE SUN STORIESTonight’s fixture is also set to mark Kylian Mbappe’s last in a PSG shirt ahead of his impending departure from the Parisian outfit this summer.The French superstar prepares to end a seven-year stay during which he helped them win the league six times.Coaches are surrounded by smoke in the alarming footageCredit: TwitterA flare set off next to one of the coachesCredit: Twitter More

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      Shocking moment Man Utd and City fans brawl in the street before FA Cup final – leaving shirtless man knocked out cold

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      THIS is the shocking moment Manchester and United Manchester City fans brawled in the street before the FA Cup final today.Only hours before the footballing rivals faced off in an FA Cup Final for the second year in a row their supporters have shamed themselves in a violent fracas.Footage posted to social media showed rival fans fighting each other before the FA Cup FinalCredit: Twitter/@UB1UB2The groups of men throw punches and grapple with each otherCredit: Twitter/@UB1UB2One man appeared to be knocked out cold during the brawlCredit: Twitter/@UB1UB2Footage taken in northwest London has emerged showing two dozen thugs brawling in the middle of busy street.Police will be on high alert for violence surrounding the final at Wembley today, with Leeds then playing Southampton tomorrow at the same venue.Traffic on the street stops as the men launch fists and grapple with each other.The footage starts with two men grappling on the ground in front of a bus stop as others join in on the fighting.Read more on footballMany more stand on the footpath on either side of the road and watch as their buddies try knock each other out with haymakers. One man, who is shirtless, appears to be knocked out cold during the brawl with another man then stabilising his head. As he lies in the street not moving, others continue to fight around them with punches are thrown back and forth.Footage shows the men fighting for about a minute as two red London double-decker buses wait for the chaos to clear.Most read in FootballShoes, phones, and bags become strewn across the road as the mass of bodies moves around the street.At one point a woman walks into the fight to try and pull one man off the ground.Man Utd fans left stunned at ‘filthy’ Bruno Fernandes assist as they say ‘KDB wishes he could play like that’That man gets back up with her help and then continues fighting while she walks off.At one point the brawl spills over to the footpath other side of the road outside a McDonald’s, with delivery drivers on scooters watching on.United face an uphill task this afternoon against the Premier League champions.But it is unlikely that veteran boss Pep Guardiola will be knocked out of stride by a social media line-up.And Ten Hag is expected to lose his job even if he wins this afternoon.A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were made aware of this incident and officers were deployed to the area. Investigations remain ongoing.”Erik ten Hag breaks silence on axe rumours after club fails to back him before Cup finalBy Joshua Jones
      ERIK TEN HAG broke his silence as he faced questions on rumours of his imminent sacking.
      The Manchester United boss is set to be sacked regardless of the outcome in the FA Cup final.
      The Red Devils face rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
      And quizzed by the BBC how much the strong talk about his possible exit affected the preparation for the crunch clash, Ten Hag was clear.
      He defiantly said: “[It has] not.
      “I am focused on the game and the team.
      “I don’t talk about my future.
      “It’s not about me, it’s about the team and winning the cup.”
      The Dutchman heads into the FA Cup final off the back of an eighth-placed finish – United’s lowest position in Premier League history.
      SunSport revealed he expects to be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford – even if they spring a major surprise against Pep Guardiola’s winning machine.

      The men stand off from each other with some brawling in the middleCredit: Twitter/@UB1UB2The men fought right across the road while onlookers watched onCredit: Twitter/@UB1UB2 More

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      Man City and Utd fans to be forced along DIFFERENT routes to Wembley for FA Cup final clash amid fears of violence

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      MANCHESTER City and United fans will be asked to take different roads to Wembley for the FA Cup Final this weekend amid fears of violence.Police hope that keeping United supporters on the M6, M42 and M40 will prevent clashes with their rivals at service stations.City and United fans will be asked to take different roads to Wembley for the FA Cup Final this weekendCredit: AlamyCity fans have been told to stick to the M1 while United supporters should take the M6, M42 and M40 to avoid clashes at service stationsCredit: GettyCity fans have been asked to stick to the M1 but supporters don’t have to follow the advice, MailOnline reports.Both sides are taking 36,000 fans each and Greater Manchester Police hope the plans will avoid a repeat of last year’s FA Cup violence.Newport Pagnell Services on the M1 at Milton Keynes and Oxford Services on the M40 saw mass brawls when fans came head-to-head after City beat United 2-1.The latter saw fights erupt in the coach park area and prompted a police investigation.Read More on the FA CupLast year’s problems were aggravated by train strikes and saw 160 official coaches laid on for both sets of fans.United have just 12 coaches travelling down from Manchester this weekend.Saturday’s FA Cup Final could see more than 1,000 officers from The Met, GMP and British Transport Police on duty around Wembley.Kick-off has been brought forward from 5.30pm to 3pm – a repeat of last year.Most read in FootballThe FA said the time change followed an agreement with “the clubs, local authority, members of the safety advisory group and broadcasters”.Man City are favourites to win.Inside Man City’s wild title celebrations as Jack Grealish gets back on the beer and loses fight with confetti cannonWhen is the FA Cup final?
      The FA Cup final will take place on Saturday, May 25.
      A kick off time has not been confirmed.
      Wembley Stadium will host.
      What TV channel is the FA Cup final on and can it be live streamed FREE?
      BBC and ITV will both broadcast the FA Cup final live on TV.
      You can live stream the big match for FREE on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
      Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog to keep up to date with all the action from Wembley.
      Which club has won the most FA Cups?
      Arsenal – 14
      Manchester United – 12
      Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham – 8
      Aston Villa and Manchester City – 7
      Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers – 6
      Everton, West Brom, Wanderers* – 5
      Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United – 4
      Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United – 3
      Preston North End, Old Etonians, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest – 2
      Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Oxford University, Royal Engineers, Derby County, Leeds United, Southampton, Burnley, Cardiff City, Blackpool, Clapham Rovers, Notts County, Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, Old Carthusians, Blackburn Olympic, Bradford City, Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic – 1 More

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      Inside Euro 2024 security HQ where crack cops work around the clock to protect tournament from terrorists and hooligans

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      HIGH-definition screens flash constant streams of data as British intelligence researchers work around the clock in a vast security nerve centre bigger than a football pitch.Crack police teams from nations across Europe sit side-by-side at workstations in a constant vigil to snuff out potentially deadly threats.Policing teams from across Europe will be working together at Euro 2024 to combat disorder and potential terror threatsCredit: AFPGerman police have been taking part in operational drills at stadiums ahead of Euro 2024Credit: EPABut this is not Britain’s GCHQ listening post or a Pentagon war room — it is the hub of the biggest soccer security operation in history at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.It is expected that 300,000 fans of England and Scotland will head from the UK for the month-long tournament, which kicks off on June 14.German authorities admit that, as well as soccer hooligans, they are trying to counter unprecedented terror threats from IS and rogue factions spilling out of the war to the east in Ukraine.And growing tensions in the Middle East are only adding to their security concerns.READ MORE EURO 2024Germany’s answer has been to pull together 300 of Europe’s top police brains to oversee the daunting security challenge from the purpose-built International Police Cooperation Centre at Neuss in western Germany.And the man in charge of the British presence spoke for the first time last night of the vital role that will be played by three specialist officers spearheading the intelligence operation.Former Met officer Mick Johnson, director of the UK Football Policing Unit, told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve no doubt it’ll be a well-run machine.“We’ll have three staff working shifts. That’s one more than most nations, because English fans tend to start early and finish late.Most read in Football“They’ll work in three-day stints starting one day before games, match day itself and the day after.“We have a team of plain-clothed operational football officers — once called spotters — on the ground watching fans who will report to our team based in the IPCC.Euro 2024 Controversy: Spying Suspicions in Scotland Fans’ Lodging“If they spot anyone causing trouble, or identify anyone who’s been banned from matches, they will tell the IPCC team who’ll relay it to the Germans who will step in to take action as they see fit.“There will be three or four games a day so each hub will feed into the central IPCC coordinating centre at the same time.“It’s a good system. We’ve used it many times and I have to say the Germans are up with the best in the world at organising it.”Security forces face the task of protecting 2.7million fans, 24 team base camps, and ten stadiums where 51 matches will be played between June 14 and July 14. Top officials in Germany have been visiting the policing HQ as they prepare for an influx of fans next monthCredit: GettyPolice officers will have direct contact with the nerve centre as they keep control of fans around the groundsCredit: GettyPolice leave has been banned as fan zones nationwide are expected to attract 12million visitors and have been identified as the most likely terror targets.In an unprecedented move, Germany has invited 300 security experts from competing nations to the state-of-the-art Neuss HQ.UK experts will work in shifts alongside officials from Germany, Europol and European football body Uefa sifting data from live CCTV streams and the undercover spotters mingling with fans. The hub of the operation is a hangar-like 500  sq  metre conference room equipped with 129 computers and a giant 40  sq  metre screen.Tournament director Philipp Lahm said: “From the outset, security has been our top priority.”Oliver Strudthoff, director of the IPCC, said: “Each country knows its troublemakers better than any other and the foreign experts present in Neuss will be able to identify them more quickly.“A delegation’s size will depend on number of fans and how potentially dangerous they are. “England, for example, will have more representatives than Switzerland.”Among the visitors to the HQ was Herbert Reul, minister of the interior of North Rhine-Westphalia.The country’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, revealed in March that an Islamist attack in Moscow had raised “dangers to a new level”.Her chilling alert came just days after the ISIS-K terrorist atrocity at a concert hall in Moscow killed 143.Among the drastic steps taken to protect Three Lions fans will be a plan to close borders temporarily and to ramp up frontier checks. A ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, who will be staying with their families at the five-star Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain.More than 1,600 known England yobs have been banned from travel to Germany during the tournament.Between 800 and 1,300 police will be deployed around the stadiums at each match guarding three separate security perimeters.Cars will be checked at the first, bags searched at the second and tickets scanned at the third.Fan zones are feared to be softer terror targets as they welcome tens of thousands for every match.The German Army will scan the skies around matches for drone attacks and will feed data into the IPCC central command.Mr Johnson, whose nerve centre team will be led by his deputy Paul Foley, expects a minority of England fans to cause trouble but shares the hope it will be kept to a minimum.He said: “With England there are always going to be those who drink too much and engage in anti-social behaviour. “They might sing songs that they shouldn’t and are generally a pain in the arse.“But, by and large, they don’t get involved in premeditated violent outbursts and we’ve no major concerns with any of the teams we’ll be playing in the group stages.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re hopeful that it’s going to be really pleasant and enjoyable for all and let’s hope England fans get voted best fans in the tournament. “We’ve got to win something.”English police are hoping the nation’s supporters are the best behaved at the tournamentCredit: Getty More