The following from Hamish Birchall

Following mass brawls in Liverpool and Canary Wharf during big screenings of England's match against Paraguay last Saturday, the BBC has cancelled its big screenings of the World Cup:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5073434.stm

The Sunday Times of 12 June reported the violence in Liverpool and Canary wharf, but also apparently trouble-free screenings in Manchester, Leeds, Cambridge and Hull:

'Eight thousand fans packed into Manchesters Exchange Square. Before the match they were entertained by a karaoke of soccer anthems and a live interactive football game. Aiden Hooson, 14, a Manchester City fan, said: The atmosphere is far better than sitting in the house. The happy scenes were repeated in Leeds, Cambridge and Hull as fans sang Three Lions with its refrain Footballs coming homeand jumped in the air as one when England scored.'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2220281,00.html

Perhaps the music helped:

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
William Congreve 1670-1729, The Mourning Bride

NB: I am waiting to hear from Manchester City Council whether Exchange Square has a premises licence authorising the performance of live music and the playing of recorded music.
ENDS