Top cop supports Rangers version of events in Romania

Superintendent Mike Dean of Strathclyde Police, who was helping to co-ordinate security at Unirea Urziceni's, Steaua Stadium, agrees with Rangers explanation for the crowd disturbances.

Chief executive Martin Bain has condemned those involved in the violence but blamed poor organisation and over-zealous policing for sparking the trouble.

Television pictures showed a number of Rangers fans clashing with Romanian police in the stands at half-time, while one supporter was seen to rip out a seat.

Dean said in the Daily Record: "The situation arose because, despite having an agreement in place with UEFA that four turnstiles would be in operation, there were in fact only two.

"I was there with the UEFA delegate from right up until about 20 minutes before kick-off time, when there was a late surge with 400 or 500 supporters trying to get in through two gates.

"At that stage, the public order riot police went in and sprayed the fans. This caused a lot of tension and the whole thing deteriorated. Fans were still trying to get into the ground at half-time.

"What happened inside the stadium at half-time was probably a direct result of the tensions outside. I was not happy."

The matter will be dealt with by UEFA's control and disciplinary body on Thursday.

Dean, who has already spoken to UEFA to give them his on-the-spot version, added: "Eventually, we went to the control room and spoke to the match commander. He got very excited and started shouting when all I was attempting to do was give him my advice, with 10 years' experience of these kind of things.

"He then decided he needed the stewards to remove some of the Rangers flags, to clear seats for the fans who were still coming in.

"I told him the fans will do that themselves. But he chose not to take my advice. It was at that point a steward went in to remove some flags and was challenged by the supporters. I can't condone those fans who came rushing down from the back and would warn them the CCTV pictures are of tremendous quality."