Man Utd face investigation over ugly protest scenes, including police officer being slashed in the face
Manchester United fans’ protests against the club’s owners descended into chaos after Old Trafford was stormed and policemen were attacked, leading to the fixture with Liverpool being postponed and the club facing an FA investigation.
Police said bottles and barriers were thrown at officers with one requiring emergency hospital treatment for “significant slash wound” to the face.
United staff were said to have locked themselves in rooms within the stadium as the protests demanding the removal of the Glazer family turned ugly, with a section of fans breaking into the stadium on two occasions.
There were also clashes outside the ground and a stand-off with police by the Lowry Hotel, where United players were staying, prompting Greater Manchester Police to deploy additional officers from neighbouring forces.
A flare and bottle was also aimed at the TV stage where the Sky Sports team were working.
The match was cancelled following talks between the police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs. It was felt that the game could not go on with the stadium security compromised and there being concerns for the safety of the players as the protests continued outside the Lowry.
A member of the Manchester United Supporters Trust told The Telegraph that the protest had “been taken over by thugs”. “This was supposed to be a peaceful protest, where we have our voice heard, where we’re seen around the world by the TV cameras and yourselves,” Aaron Beresford said.
With fans furious with the Glazers attempting to join the breakaway European Super League, pundits including Gary Neville and Roy Keane expect more unrest after fans managed to stop one of the biggest games in the English football calendar.
The Football Association will also launch an investigation into the postponement and will liase with the police and the Premier League in the coming days. United face questions on how fans broke into their stadium after the date, venue and time of the protest was announced on Apr 23.
“Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest,” read a statement from United. “However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger.”
United had already had their Carrington training ground stormed after the collapse of ESL, with fans speaking to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and holding a banner reading: “We decide when you play”.
The club were given a nine-day warning of the protests on the forecourt of United’s stadium. Demonstrators also gathered outside The Lowry, where Solskjaer’s squad gathers before matches, but their team bus never left the Manchester hotel.
Arsenal had anticipated protests in their first home match after the collapse of ESL and got their players to the Emirates Stadium earlier than usual when they faced Everton earlier this month. United were prepared for a protest with barriers outside the ground but could not prevent fans getting inside.
Hundreds of fans made their way on to the pitch in the first breach, entering through the East Stand and chanting: “We want Glazers out.” They also touched equipment and footballs in a break of Covid-19 safety regulations, making it impossible for the game to go ahead.
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness called it “unacceptable” that fans aimed a flare at them. “If it hit any one of us we’d be lying in hospital permanently scarred,” said Souness. “Someone then threw a full can of beer and if that hits you in the wrong place, that might even kill you. That is unacceptable.”
After a second group of protesters entered the stadium, the ground was eventually declared secure at 4.50pm, only for the postponement to be confirmed within an hour.
“We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated Covid-19 breaches,” read a statement from the Premier League. “Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today have no justification.
“We sympathise with the police and stewards who had to deal with a dangerous situation that should have no place in football. The rearrangement of the fixture will be communicated in due course.”
Neville believes the protests should lead to reforms preventing the “Big Six” clubs attempting to break away again like they attempted to do last month.
“Football at this time is lawless,” he said. “The six clubs are bullying the rest. The reality is that it needs to stop. The majority of fans peacefully protested to say they are not accepting what is going on at this club and in English football.
“It’s not going to go away because they don’t trust the owners of this club and think they should leave. Protesting is the right of every person in this country. Beyond that this should be about reform and regulation to make sure they cannot do it again. It has to be a precursor to reform otherwise it is a waste.”
Keane, meanwhile, expects more demonstrations now United fans have managed to postpone a game.
“Of course, it is a huge statement. You have to applaud them. They’ve had enough. I find it hard to criticise them,” he said. “This will go all over the world now and hopefully the owners will say ‘these fans are deadly serious and there is more to come’. This is just the start of it from United fans, I’ll guarantee you.”
Greater Manchester Police said: “Two officers have been injured with one officer being attacked with a bottle and sustaining a significant slash wound to his face requiring emergency hospital treatment.
“As the groups grew in size, it became clear that many of those present were not intending to exercise their right to peaceful protest. Flares were let off and bottles thrown at officers.
“Protesters outside Old Trafford became especially aggressive and antagonistic towards police before a group of about 100 forced entry to the ground with some United staff having to lock themselves in rooms.
“Those in the stadium were evicted by officers but outside on the forecourt hostility grew with bottles and barriers being thrown at officers and horses.
“With the situation increasing in hostility, additional officers had to be deployed and officers had to be drawn in from neighbouring forces.
“Following discussion with the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, a joint-decision was made to postpone the match for safety reasons.”
GMP assistant chief constable Russ Jackson added: “The behaviour displayed by those at both Old Trafford and the Lowry Hotel was reckless and dangerous.
“We have launched an investigation and we will be working closely alongside partners to ensure we establish the full circumstances surrounding the events and prosecute those responsible.”
