Oasis festival row deepens

A stage hand clears away the debris after Liam leads Oasis off

Oasis have hit back in their Swiss festival row by suing organisers who claimed they put fans at risk by storming off stage.

The band walked off a third of the way though their set at the Paleo Festival in Nyon after sections of the crowd hurled missiles at them.

Promoters suggested singer Liam Gallagher's "arrogant and provocative attitude" had sparked off the protest and threatened legal action for "ruining" the show.

Some might say Liam's not looking his best

They added that Oasis' decision not to reappear on stage was a "total disregard for the public safety risk".

But Oasis' management company, Ignition, countered by saying: "We are taking legal action against the organisers of the Paleo Festival as a result of their outrageous remarks."

The trouble began 30 minutes into the band's 90-minute set, when they claim they came under siege from a volley of missiles, including bottles, cans and coins.

Flurry

After walking off, they briefly reappeared, only to be attacked by another flurry of objects, some of which allegedly hit Liam and drummer Alan White.

Oasis, minus Noel Gallagher - who has refuses to tour outside the British Isles again - refused to continue and remained backstage for three hours until all 35,000 fans had left the venue, fearing for their safety.

But the organisers were adamant the band - who received a £66,000 advance fee - had made a big fuss about nothing.

Fans leave the stage area after Oasis' departure

They maintained the only objects thrown on stage were empty plastic bottles and a balloon filled with water, adding Liam had whipped up the crowd by insulting fans and swearing at them.

Other reports suggested some members of the audience were chanting the name of Liam's arch-rival Robbie Williams.

At the beginning of the month, Oasis were again accused of endangering public safety by organisers of the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, in which nine people died.

They pulled out of their scheduled slot, along with fellow British act the Pet Shop Boys, as a mark of respect for the victims, but were told their actions would cause fans to seek out smaller stages.