Man Utd to punish criminal protesters

LONDON: Manchester United will punish any fans found to have been involved in criminal or violent behaviour during protests which forced the postponement of the side’s English Premier League match at home to Liverpool.

Several supporters forced their way into Old Trafford before Monday’s scheduled kickoff as a demonstration against club owners the Glazer family escalated into incidents of damage and violence.

Two police officers were injured, one requiring emergency hospital treatment, while bottles and barriers were thrown outside the ground, according to Greater Manchester Police.

United is working with police to identify fans involved but, according to the club’s sanctions policy, damaging property or disorderly behaviour warrants a one to sixgame ban.

The policy adds that abusive or aggressive behaviour towards staff, police or anyone else in a working capacity or any other criminal activity can lead to indefinite suspensions.

Police said a 28yearold man had been arrested in connection with the protests.

‘‘The club has no desire to see peaceful protesters punished, but will work with the police to identify those involved in criminal activity, and will also issue its own sanctions to any season ticketholder or member identified, per the published sanctions policy,’’ they said.

United has rejected claims staff opened gates to allow protesters inside Old Trafford and says entry was gained by illegal means.

‘‘The majority of our fans have and will condemn criminal damage, along with any violence towards club staff, police or other fans, and these now become a police matter,’’ United said.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust has written an open letter to Joel Glazer demanding the owners engage in supporter consultation to avoid a repeat of the scenes at Old Trafford and has put forward a fourpoint plan to advance this.

The postponement has given Premier League planners a headache as United is scheduled to play every midweek until the end of the season.