Students riot over sacking of coach

Vehicles were attacked and university students clashed with police as they demanded the reinstatement of a sports coach sacked over sex abuse allegations.

Pennsylvania State American football coach Joe Paterno - the most successful coach in the history of the college game -and the university's president Graham Spanier were fired by the board of trustees after Mr Paterno's one-time heir apparent, Jerry Sandusky, was charged with molesting eight boys over 15 years. It is claimed the pair did not handle accusations about Sandusky's behaviour correctly.

Students surrounded the college offices chanting: "We want Joe back."

There is no suggestion Mr Paterno - who has been a coach for 46 years - was involved in abuse. He said he was "absolutely devastated", adding: "This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

Mr Paterno has been criticised for not taking more action in 2002 after a coach said he had seen Sandusky in the showers with a 10-year-old boy. Paterno notified the athletic director and a university vice president, who did not report it.