Controversial Game

British newspapers on Wednesday were full of accounts by Manchester United supporters who claimed that security officials used billy clubs and tear gas against people trying to escape the crush in an overcrowded fan block.

"I think some of the fans may have initially over-reacted themselves to the situation in the stand," said one Man U supporter, "but the police made the situation escalate out of control."

The descriptions recall the horrific scenes from 1989 when 96 fans died in a crowd surge at an FA Cup match in Hillsborough, England. Manchester United is collating information from its supporters to present to UEFA.

The match was relocated to the Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens after Lille's regular home grounds were found not to meet UEFA safety standards for Champions League events. British Sports Minister Richard Carbon is demanding that UEFA take action.

Questions of Sportsmanship

And there was plenty of controversy on the pitch after a quickly taken free kick by Manchester's Ryan Giggs gave the visitors a narrow victory.

Lille is asking UEFA to disallow the goal, saying that the referee had not blown his whistle and therefore failed to give their defense time to get organized.

Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar ruled that the free kick was valid. He was surrounded by outraged Lille players on the sidelines in what Manchester interpreted as an attempt to influence his decision by threatening not to play on.

After the match, Manchester coach Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying that UEFA should punish Lille for the incident, but the club is focusing on the security issue.

Should Lille be found culpable of sportsmanship or safety violations, there could be serious consequences. Earlier this season, Dutch side Feyenoord were barred from the UEFA Cup after its supporters rioted at an away match.