Police warn Fergie and Wenger

14 April 2012

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are being urged by police to end their war of words so they do not stir up trouble between fans.

Arsenal play Manchester United on 1 February and the officer in charge of the security operation does not want the traditionally tense occasion inflamed.

The Premiership fixture at Highbury is one of three, along with Tottenham and Chelsea games, which are considered high-risk and warrant an increased police presence.

There will be 180 officers on duty for the visit of United, almost double the average number for Arsenal matches, and the bitter public slanging match between Wenger and Ferguson will not make their jobs any easier.

The Premier League want a peace summit with Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein and United chief executive David Gill tomorrow.

Borough commander for Islington, Barry Norman, believes events relating to the teams and managers can affect fans' behaviour. He says local police have an excellent relationship with Arsenal but he wants the Frenchman and Scot to calm the situation.

Norman said: "Any activity in the build-up to the game which increases the intensity and hostility of the supporters is not responsible and should be stopped. If there is intense rivalry between the two sets of fans, which there is, then anything which increases that is unhelpful."

Police have become accustomed to the frequently provocative build-up to Arsenal-United games but rival managers Wenger and Ferguson have taken it to new levels this season.

Norman said: "The difference with the United game is simply that the intense playing rivalry permeates into the crowd and people easily become more agitated and aggressive towards supporters of the other team."

Meanwhile, Graham Poll has pulled out of a seminar of UEFA referees to ensure he can referee the clash. Poll was due to attend the meeting of officials ahead of the resumption of the Champions League tournament on 22 February but he has been given the all-clear to stay in England to be at Highbury.

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