UEFA have announced they will launch an investigation into the crowd trouble which marred the Champions League match in Rome.
We have, at long last, got rid of the violence that was the curse of football stadiums in this country. But in Italy they are seeing the worst cases of organised trouble the country has seen in twenty years. That is a fact ... so why should English supporters have to go through scenes we have seen this season when EVERY English club has visited the place.
Baton-wielding riot police charged United fans, when it was Italian supporters throwing missiles. And this has been a regular scene this season.
Newcastle visited Palermo, which was arguably the most frightening experience many of the Toon Army had ever had to go through on their European travels. Yet it was much worse weeks earlier when 200 West Ham fans were attacked with knives in Palermo town square.
Roma could face action if they are judged to have failed in their security arrangements but if United fans are judged to have a played a significant role in provoking the police's reaction they could be in trouble.
Newcastle played in Rome in the UEFA Cup in 1999, and although there were no major incidents, it was not a friendly place to visit. The Italian fans were "up for it" before and after the kick off, but the riot police did a decent job that night.
Trouble flared on Wednesday after rival fans surged towards a barrier separating them and missiles were thrown.
Why Should We Suffer Because Of Italian Louts?
Riot police responded with some savagery and officers were seen repeatedly striking United supporters, including at least two as they lay on the floor.
Eighteen United fans were taken to hospital after being hurt in the trouble.
Prior to the match, five United supporters were hurt during clashes with home fans in the vicinity of the stadium. Announcements made in both English and Italian continued to be aired during half-time, warning fans the game could be abandoned if the violence continued.
United fans were escorted out of the stadium 90 minutes after the final whistle.
The Stadio Olimpico witnessed ugly scenes in the 2004-2005 campaign with the Champions League encounter between Roma and Dynamo Kiev was abandoned after referee Anders Frisk was hit in the head by a coin thrown from the Roma stands.