A major English Premier League match was postponed on Sunday after hundreds of Manchester United fans, who staged a protest against the club’s American owners, stormed the Old Trafford stadium pitch ahead of the Liverpool game.
“Following the security breach at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s game against Liverpool was postponed,” the Premier League reported in a statement.
“This is a collective decision of the police, both clubs, the Premier League and the local authorities,” he added.
Many Manchester United supporters are upset by the club’s failed attempt to join the European Super League last month. The Glazer family, which also owns the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is at the helm of the English club.
Premier League statement following Manchester United fan protest
On the above, the Premier League said that the decision to postpone the match was to ensure “everyone’s safety at Old Trafford.”
“We understand and respect the intensity of the sentiments, but we condemn all acts of violence, criminal damages and intrusion, especially taking into account violations of the measures against covid-19,” the Premier League said in its statement.
“Fans have many channels to make their opinions known, but the actions of a minority seen today are without justification.
“We stand in solidarity with the police and vigilantes who had to face a dangerous situation that should not take place in football.”
“The rescheduling of the match will be communicated in due course,” he added.
Manchester United protest at Old Trafford
Manchester United response
Manchester United issued a statement recognizing the right of fans to “free expression and peaceful protest”.
“However, we regret the disruption of the team and the actions that put other fans, staff and the police at risk. We thank the police for their support and we will assist them in any subsequent investigation, “added the United statement.
For their part, the Greater Manchester Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Citizen Free Press.
European Super League
Where did the organizers of the European Super League fail? 1:34
Manchester United and Liverpool were two of 12 clubs that last month announced their intention to break away from the current UEFA competition format and create their own European Super League, before the project quickly fell apart.
“We are disgusted, embarrassed and angered by the owner’s actions in relation to the planning, training and announcement of the European Super League,” the Manchester United Supporters Trust fan forum told an emergency meeting on Friday.
“Once again this clearly shows that the club owners are only interested in maximizing their own profits and do not care or respect the views of Manchester United fans,” he added.
What do Manchester United executives say?
At that meeting, Manchester United’s outgoing Executive Vice President Ed Woodward said the club is not “looking to reactivate Super League plans.”
“I know you will be angry and disappointed by the lack of consultation and by the way the proposal did not recognize the vital principle of open competition. A proper discussion would have helped us avoid the mistake we made, ”added Woodward.
“As Joel (Glazer) said … we did not give enough importance to the essential principles and traditions of sporting merit that are so vital to football, not only in national competition but in Europe since the mid-1950s,” he commented.
If the match had not been postponed and Manchester United had been defeated by Liverpool, Manchester City would have been Premier League champions.