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Officials defend police in Man U clash

  -- The Associated Press

ROME (AP) Italian security officials defended the conduct of police in clashes with Manchester United fans, saying Friday the officers were defending themselves and that the visiting supporters started the violence.

The government's top security official in Rome showed video clips from Wednesday's Champions League match against AS Roma at a news conference Friday, and said it was clear the English team's fans started the clashes.

Prefect Achille Serra was responding to complaints from United fans that the police overreacted.

"The officers couldn't escape at this point," he said, showing one clip in which the police were pushed up against a barricade in the stands. "They were completely surrounded."

The Italian Interior Ministry said late Wednesday the British Embassy and the Italian police were working together to determine what happened.

UEFA is awaiting reports from match and security officials on the clashes; both clubs could face a disciplinary hearing.

During the match, which Roma won 2-1, police in riot gear clashed with some of United's 4,500 fans. Police hit fans with batons as opposing fans taunted and threw objects at each other across the partition separating the rival sections.

Serra said the injured included three United fans who were stabbed and another 14 United fans with lesser injuries. Four Roma fans and seven police officers were also injured, he said.

Three United fans were arrested on charges of violence against a public officer, Serra said.