A Ryanair passenger claims he was escorted off the plane at Manchester Airport by armed police after asking for a free vodka and tonic to replace a drink knocked out of his hand by a steward.

City fan Alan McTighe was returning home with his wife Christine after watching the Blues historic victory against Real Madrid when his gin and tonic was tipped into his lap.

He says a member of the crew knocked him with a drinks trolley as he went down the aisle.

Alan, who had spent three days in the Spanish capital to also celebrate his 66th birthday, said: "I was not drunk, I was not abusive, and I did not swear. I hold a private pilot's licence and I know what the air navigation order is and how it is meant to ensure safety of pasengers.

"In my opinion Ryanair staff have abused the air navigation order by creating a situation that did not exist.

"They announced the final service for drinks and they (the stewards) were rattling up the aisle. My arm got hit and my gin and tonic drink flew up vertically in the air and dropped onto me. I was soaking, wet through.

"I said 'slow down'. They got paper towels all over me to mop it up.

"Eventually they came back and asked if I would like a drink. I said I'd like a tea, for my wife, and a vodka and tonic for me.

"They came with the drinks and said they would not charge for the tea, but I would have to pay for the vodka and tonic.

"I said you should replace it and the steward said 'no', so I said I needed to speak to their senior."

Alan, from Shaw, Oldham, said another member of the crew also told him he had to pay for the vodka and tonic and if he was not happy about it could make a formal complaint.

"She said 'if you don't pay for your drink I will make sure there is a police presence when we land'. I didn't believe they would do that. I couldn't believe the captain would sanction that.

(Image: PA)

"Just before the plane was due to land they announced on the tannoy that due to an incident police would be boarding the plane and all passengers - about 200 of them - had to remain in their seats ands await further instruction.

"Three people near me looked very nervous, thinking it was a safety issue.

"Two armed officers came on board and after a brief discussion with the cabin crew they told me to get off the aircraft.

"It was freezing outside, and I was just wearing a T-shirt. I was held on the tarmac for 30 minutes while the police tried to resolve it.

"They went back up to the cabin crew, returned, and said they had decided I had been banned for life from Ryanair flights.

"The police were professional and objective and said it was a civil matter and they would not be involved - but they had to file a report. It was such a waste of police time."

Alan did not not pay the nine Euros for the drink and is asking anyone who witnessed the spillage and aftermath to get in touch in case Ryanair pursue him through the courts for payment.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is also a Manchester City fan.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We can confirm we attended. It's being treated as a civil matter between the airline and the passenger."

In a statement, Ryanair said:“The crew of this flight from Madrid to Manchester (27 Feb) requested police assistance upon arrival after a passenger became disruptive inflight. This is now a matter for local police.”