FANNING THE FLAMES
BACKLASH TO DOOMED EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE CONTINUES AS FANS MAKE THEIR FEELINGS KNOWN
THE Premier League’s ‘ big six’ rebel clubs continued to feel the full force of their fans’ fury yesterday as Manchester United supporters invaded the team’s training ground and Arsenal followers grilled director Josh Kroenke.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to fans who took their protests against owners the Glazer family to Carrington in the wake of the collapse of the 12-team breakaway European Super League earlier this week.
And Gunners supporters – furious at their club’s part in the episode – took Kroenke, son of under-fire American owner Stan, to task in an online forum with demonstrations also expected ahead of tonight’s Premier League game at home to Everton.
United co-chairman Joel Glazer had been named vice-chairman of the breakaway competition, which spectacularly unravelled on Tuesday night. All six English teams involved have since left the scheme.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will leave Old Trafford by the end of the year and Glazer also admitted ‘we got it wrong’ in an open letter to supporters on Wednesday.
But around 20 fans protested against the owners yesterday, with banners proclaiming ‘ Glazers Out’, ‘ We decide when you play’ and advocating the ‘51%’ model of fan part-ownership seen in German club football.
In a statement United confirmed: ‘At approximately 9am this morning a group gained access to the club training ground. The manager and others spoke to them.’
The move follows Chelsea legend Petr Cech meeting protesting supporters outside Stamford Bridge to calm unrest hours before the club withdrew from the ESL on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Kroenke Jr said Arsenal were pressured into joining the ESL – and insisted the family would not sell the club despite the enormous clamour from fans for them to do so.
Having been portrayed as one of the driving forces for the breakaway league, Kroenke Jr and CEO Vinai Venkatesham faced furious fans and attempted to explain away their