Greater Manchester Police has praised the behaviour of visitors to Manchester during a weekend of sport in the city.
On Friday 20 May 2016, the Great City Games saw a number of athletes compete in various events on a purpose-built athletics arena in Albert Square and track on Deansgate.
The following day (21 May 2016) saw Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium, with a number of fans watching the match in public venues throughout Greater Manchester.
The weekend extravaganza concluded on Sunday 22 May 2016 with over 30,000 lining up to take part in the Great Manchester Run before England defeated Turkey 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in a UEFA Euro 2016 warm-up match in the evening.
The events saw tens of thousands of visitors to the city centre, creating a buzzing and carnival-like atmosphere.
Assistant Chief Constable John O’Hare said: “This has been a fantastic weekend for Manchester and the atmosphere in the city has been superb from start to finish.
“It was great to see so many pictures of smiling faces and people having a good time and I hope everyone who has visited the city this weekend will be going away with some great memories.
“I would like to thank everyone who has played a key role in ensuring that the weekend has been successful.”
-Notes to editors-
A number of men were arrested as part of the England v Turkey match day operation and remain in custody:
1x Engaging in racist chanting – At the ground
1x Possession of drugs – At the ground
1x Affray – Prior to match
1x Breaching a football banning order – Prior to match
1x Section 19 public order offence (racially aggravated public order) – Prior to match
Other than the arrests, one man was given a fixed penalty notice for a public order offence (prior to the game) and another man was reported for summons after breaching a football banning order (at the ground).
