Named and shamed, football yobs who disgraced United
ABOUT 18 months on, the hundreds of protesters who descended on Old Trafford appear to have got their wish.
Last week, an announcement from Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, confirmed the club is up for sale.
Their 17-year highly controversial reign at one of the world’s biggest football clubs looks set to come to an end. Speculation over what has caused the US family’s change of heart is rife.
But the continuous dissent and protest against the ownership is likely to have featured in their thinking. Anger was at fever pitch ahead of a planned Premier League fixture against fierce rivals Liverpool on May 2 last year.
Up to 2,000 protesters assembled outside Old Trafford, ahead of the game which was to be played behind closed doors, to make their feelings known. Now 40 of them have criminal records, after pleading guilty to violent disorder after the initially peaceful demonstration.
Metal barriers were stormed, two entrances to the pitch were forced open and dozens of people made their way onto the pitch. Bottles and cans were hurled at police officers, and one hit an officer in the face causing a serious injury.
The game was eventually postponed.
In total 35 assaults against police officers and security staff were recorded. One police officer was kicked to the testicles.
Criminal damage was also committed, including a Sky TV camera which cost more than £60,000 to repair. Judges have hit out at the ‘disgraceful’ scenes outside the ground.
On Friday, in the latest sentencing hearing, the city’s most senior judge branded five yobs as a ‘disgrace’ to United.
“I accept that the way in which you behaved was out of character, but I’m afraid that the reality of this situation is in various states of drink, excited by the mob who had gathered to protest, each of you behaved in ways that were a disgrace,” Judge Nicholas Dean KC said.
“A disgrace to yourselves and to the club that you purport to support. I hope that the sense of shame you felt has stayed with you. The overall actions of hundreds of individuals must have been terrifying for the police and the stewards who were just doing their job, who were the subject of prolonged abuse.”