Otago Daily Times

Protesters force game to be called off

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LONDON: Manchester United’s English Premier League match against Liverpool was postponed yesterday after United fans forced their way into the stadium and stormed the Old Trafford pitch to protest against the club’s owner, the Glazer family.

‘‘Following discussion between the police, the premier league, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerat­ions around the protest today,’’ United said in a statement.

‘‘Discussion­s will now take place with the premier league on a revised date for the fixture.’’

Liverpool issued a statement saying it was in full agreement with the decision.

An hour after the scheduled 3.30pm (local time) kickoff, both sets of players were still stuck in their hotels. The Lowry Hotel, where United’s players were preparing for the match, was also the scene of a large antiGlazer protest.

Greater Manchester Police said about 100 United fans took to the pitch, some letting off flares and others carrying posters calling for the Glazers to end their ownership of the club they bought in 2005.

Police said some United staff locked themselves in rooms.

The match was being played behind closed doors due to Covid19 restrictio­ns, but that did not stop chaotic and ugly scenes inside and outside Old Trafford, which left one police officer requiring emergency treatment after being slashed with a bottle, Greater Manchester Police said.

In a statement, the premier league said: ‘‘Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United versus Liverpool game has been postponed.

‘‘This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the premier league and local authoritie­s. The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance. We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated Covid19 breaches.’’

There was no word on when the match would be played. Secondplac­ed United needed a win to prevent Manchester City being crowned champion yesterday.

While the protest had been planned and was largely peaceful, it descended into chaos as fans infiltrate­d the stadium.

Hundreds of fans also gathered outside the ground, letting off green and gold flares — the colours of United’s shirts when it was formed as Newton Heath and adopted by those who have regularly protested against the club’s hierarchy.

Mounted police moved in to try to clear the areas outside the stadium and there were ugly clashes with bottles and barriers being thrown at police officers.

‘‘The behaviour displayed today by those at both Old Trafford and the Lowry Hotel was reckless and dangerous,’’ GMP assistant chief constable Russ Jackson said.

‘‘We understand the passion many supporters have for their team and we fully respect the right for peaceful protest. But it soon became clear that many present had no intention of doing so peacefully.’’

The protest follows United’s initial decision to join a European Super League (ESL) along with five other English clubs. The plans for that breakaway league fell apart within days due to widespread opposition.

‘‘On the back of the indefensib­le ESL proposals, and an ‘apology’ from the Glazers which we do not accept, we need to give fans a meaningful share in the ownership of United and a meaningful voice in how it is run,’’ Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must) said in a statement after the postponeme­nt.

‘‘The Government now needs to act. That has to mean a process which results in fans having the opportunit­y to buy shares in their club and, more to the point, no single private shareholde­r holding a majority ownership of our football clubs which allows them to abuse that ownership.

‘‘The Government needs to reflect the views of ordinary people who see that now is the time to reclaim the people’s game,’’ added Must.

Former United defender Gary Neville, who was a fierce critic of the club’s decision to join the Super League, was in the ground as part of the Sky Sports commentary team.

‘‘The reason why those thousands and thousands of fans came today is because they have had enough. They have had enough,’’ Neville said. — Reuters

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 ?? PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES/REUTERS ?? Making their feelings known . . . Clockwise from top left, the United Trinity statue outside Old Trafford can be seen through flare smoke as fans protest Manchester United’s Glazer ownership before the English Premier League match between United and Liverpool yesterday; fans mass outside the stadium; police officers protect the Lowry Hotel, where Manchester United players were preparing for the match; scenes from inside the stadium.
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES/REUTERS Making their feelings known . . . Clockwise from top left, the United Trinity statue outside Old Trafford can be seen through flare smoke as fans protest Manchester United’s Glazer ownership before the English Premier League match between United and Liverpool yesterday; fans mass outside the stadium; police officers protect the Lowry Hotel, where Manchester United players were preparing for the match; scenes from inside the stadium.
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