Fans’ chief expects more protests over club owners

FOOTBALL Supporters’ Association chairman Malcolm Clarke expects further fan protests before the end of the season, but believes real progress will be made through consultation over proper regulation of club ownership.

A demonstration by Manchester United fans caused the postponement of their Premier League match at home to Liverpool on Sunday, with a number of individuals breaking into the ground in the hours before the scheduled kick-off.

Clarke said the majority of law-abiding protesters were well within their rights to voice collective opposition to the club’s owners the Glazer family and their involvement in the ‘big six’ clubs’ aborted plans for a European Super League and did not rule out the likelihood of further demonstrations, not only at Old Trafford but at other clubs.

However, the FSA is concentrating on providing evidence to the investigation into the governance of football being carried out by former sports minister Tracey Crouch. which was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month.

“Obviously it demonstrates the strength of feeling of the Manchester United supporters over what has happened in the last couple of weeks and wider what many of them feel about their owners, the Glazer family,” he said.

“The vast majority of people there were peacefully protesting, but as inevitably happens on these occasions the focus gets directed towards the small number who cross the line.

“I think we may see more protests. If fans want to make a protest at their last home games of the season I think that’s absolutely fine.

“We expect everyone to keep within the law so they can make their feelings felt that way.”