Match delayed as Man Utd fans storm Old Trafford in anti-Glazer protest
Issued on: 02/05/2021 - 18:22
Manchester United fans called for the club's American owners, the Glazer family, to sell the club ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool Oli SCARFF AFP
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Kick-off in Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool was delayed after fans invaded Old Trafford as part of a protest against United's owners, the Glazer family.
Hundreds of fans managed to make their way into the ground and onto the pitch, chanting "we want Glazers out."
Large numbers of supporters had also gathered outside the stadium, on the day Manchester City could be crowned Premier League champions if United lose.
The match had been due to start at 1630 local time (1530GMT), but the Premier League confirmed the game has been delayed until further notice.
Police have cleared the area around the ground in a bid make the stadium safe for the arrival of both teams.
Anger towards the Glazers has been reignited by United's part in a failed European Super League (ESL) project, that collapsed within 48 hours last month due to a backlash from fans, players, governments and governing bodies.
United and Liverpool were reportedly two of the leading drivers behind the project that sought to guarantee top level European football for 15 founder members every season without the need to qualify on the pitch.
In a rare public statement, United co-chairman Joel Glazer apologised to fans last month for signing up to the ESL.
"You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right," he said.
"Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction."
United fans also breached security at their club's training ground in the days after the ESL proposals were made public to protest against the Glazers.
The Americans have owned United since a controversial leveraged takeover in 2005 saddled the club with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt.
As the English giants have paid off huge interest payments, amounting to over £800 million ($1.1 billion) in the last 16 years, the Glazers have still regularly drawn out millions in dividends from their shares.
United fans wore green and gold colours to matches early in the Glazers' reign, the colours of Newton Heath, the club founded in 1878 that eventually became Manchester United 24 years later, as a sign of protest.
Green and gold scarves and flares were back at Old Trafford on Sunday, while there were a number of banners aimed at the Glazers.
United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has already announced he would be leaving his role by the end of the year amid the fallout from the failed ESL project.
"There's huge discontent, not just across Manchester United fans, but I think for football fans up and down the country and I think they are just saying enough is enough," former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
"The Glazer family have been resilient and stubborn for many, many years. I think they are struggling to meet the financial demands that this club needs and have done for some time."
© 2021 AFP
Man United game postponed after fans storm stadium in protest
Issued on: 02/05/2021 - 19:04
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Kick-off in Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool was delayed after fans invaded Old Trafford as part of a protest against United's owners, the Glazer family.
Hundreds of fans managed to make their way into the ground and onto the pitch, chanting "we want Glazers out."
Large numbers of supporters had also gathered outside the stadium, on the day Manchester City could be crowned Premier League champions if United lose.
The match had been due to start at 1630 local time (1530GMT), but the Premier League confirmed the game has been delayed until further notice.
Police have cleared the area around the ground in a bid make the stadium safe for the arrival of both teams.
Anger towards the Glazers has been reignited by United's part in a failed European Super League (ESL) project, that collapsed within 48 hours last month due to a backlash from fans, players, governments and governing bodies.
United and Liverpool were reportedly two of the leading drivers behind the project that sought to guarantee top level European football for 15 founder members every season without the need to qualify on the pitch.
In a rare public statement, United co-chairman Joel Glazer apologised to fans last month for signing up to the ESL.
"You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right," he said.
"Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction."
United fans also breached security at their club's training ground in the days after the ESL proposals were made public to protest against the Glazers.
The Americans have owned United since a controversial leveraged takeover in 2005 saddled the club with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt.
As the English giants have paid off huge interest payments, amounting to over £800 million ($1.1 billion) in the last 16 years, the Glazers have still regularly drawn out millions in dividends from their shares.
United fans wore green and gold colours to matches early in the Glazers' reign, the colours of Newton Heath, the club founded in 1878 that eventually became Manchester United 24 years later, as a sign of protest.
Green and gold scarves and flares were back at Old Trafford on Sunday, while there were a number of banners aimed at the Glazers.
United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has already announced he would be leaving his role by the end of the year amid the fallout from the failed ESL project.
"There's huge discontent, not just across Manchester United fans, but I think for football fans up and down the country and I think they are just saying enough is enough," former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
"The Glazer family have been resilient and stubborn for many, many years. I think they are struggling to meet the financial demands that this club needs and have done for some time."
© 2021 AFP
Man United game postponed after fans storm stadium in protest
Issued on: 02/05/2021 - 19:04
Fans protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester on May 2, 2021.
AFP - OLI SCARFF
Text by: NEWS WIRES
Manchester United's Premier League game against Liverpool was postponed on Sunday after supporters stormed into the stadium and onto the pitch as thousands of fans gathered outside Old Trafford to demand the Glazer family ownership sells the club.
Long-running anger against the American owners has boiled over after they were part of the failed attempt to take United into a European Super League.
United and Liverpool players were unable to travel to the stadium.
“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.
"Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest. However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger. We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.
The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have declined to engage with fans since buying United in 2005 in a leveraged takeover that loaded debt onto the club.
“Get out of our club,” fans chanted as flares were set off. “We want Glazers out.”
Fans are currently unable to attend games due to the pandemic but they found a way into the stadium. They also climbed onto vantage points next to turnstile entrances
Supporters wore green-and-gold scarves and also set off flares in the colors of the club’s 1878 formation. More than 100 fans got inside the stadium and some could be seen from windows waving down to protesters. Corner flags were held aloft and one supporter was seen throwing a tripod from the interview zone.
Police on horseback later cleared protesting fans from outside the stadium, with glass bottles being thrown in brief clashes. Some fans moved back to a main road near the stadium with police forming a line to stop them returning.
If United had lost the planned game, Manchester City would have won the Premier League title. United is the record 20-time English champion but hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2013.
United and Liverpool were among six Premier League clubs that tried to form an exclusive European Super League along with three clubs each from Spain and Italy. Widespread opposition quickly ended the project, with all six English teams backing out within 48 hours of the announcement.
The “Big 6” clubs have been in damage control since, offering various forms of apologies and statements of regret, while fans long frustrated with billionaire owners have called for wholesale changes.
(AP)
Neville backs Man Utd fans after protests forces Liverpool postponement
Issued on: 02/05/2021 -
Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners inside Old Trafford
Oli SCARFF AFP
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville backed the angry fans whose dramatic protest against the Glazer family forced the postponement of Sunday's game against Liverpool.
Hundreds of United supporters gathered outside Old Trafford hours before the scheduled 1530 GMT kick-off to show their disgust at the club's United States-based owners.
Around 200 forced their way into the stadium by battling past stewards and safety barrier.
They ran onto the pitch, let off flares, damaged sections of the pitch and waved anti-Glazer banners.
The ugly scenes were eventually quelled inside the stadium, but riot police, with some on horses, were needed to push the hostile crowds away from Old Trafford after bottles and other missiles were thrown.
The Glazers were already disliked after presiding over a decline in United's fortunes in recent years after their controversial takeover in 2005.
It was their leading role in the recent failed European Super League plot that reignited United fans' fury.
Neville, an outspoken critic of the Glazers and the Super League, was quick to support the protesters for taking a stand.
"The reason why those fans came today is because they have had enough," Neville told Sky Sports.
"I think it's a warning to the owners of the football club that the fans aren't going to accept what they have done.
"If there has been disturbance then I don't think that's acceptable. But the reality is the game has been called off and the fans have spoken.
"It's not going to go away because they don't trust the owners of the club and they don't like them. They think they should leave.
"Ultimately the ball is in the owners court on what they do next. The fans have been powerful. They have stood up for what's right."
- 'This is just the start' -
Neville's former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes the protesters are so tired of the Glazers that they are sure to cause more problems in the future.
"United fans have had enough. They're doing this because they love the club. It's not just the last few weeks and the Super League, it's been building for years. They've thought enough is enough," said.
"This has been the build-up of the last few years. The leadership of the club hasn't been good enough.
"When they look at the owners they think it's all about making money. I believe the United fans are doing this because they love the cub.
"People might not agree but sometimes you have to put a marker down for people to notice. This will go all over the world. Hopefully the owners see the fans are deadly serious.
"There's more to come, this is just the start from Man Utd fans, I guarantee you."
There was a mood of celebration among fans outside Old Trafford when the game was postponed and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher refused to condemn the protests.
"Do we want fans storming stadiums left right and centre and getting games called off? No we don't," he said.
"But I'm not going to sit here and criticise Man Utd fans. I think it's a good thing, protesting not being happy at what's happened at the club."
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville backed the angry fans whose dramatic protest against the Glazer family forced the postponement of Sunday's game against Liverpool.
Hundreds of United supporters gathered outside Old Trafford hours before the scheduled 1530 GMT kick-off to show their disgust at the club's United States-based owners.
Around 200 forced their way into the stadium by battling past stewards and safety barrier.
They ran onto the pitch, let off flares, damaged sections of the pitch and waved anti-Glazer banners.
The ugly scenes were eventually quelled inside the stadium, but riot police, with some on horses, were needed to push the hostile crowds away from Old Trafford after bottles and other missiles were thrown.
The Glazers were already disliked after presiding over a decline in United's fortunes in recent years after their controversial takeover in 2005.
It was their leading role in the recent failed European Super League plot that reignited United fans' fury.
Neville, an outspoken critic of the Glazers and the Super League, was quick to support the protesters for taking a stand.
"The reason why those fans came today is because they have had enough," Neville told Sky Sports.
"I think it's a warning to the owners of the football club that the fans aren't going to accept what they have done.
"If there has been disturbance then I don't think that's acceptable. But the reality is the game has been called off and the fans have spoken.
"It's not going to go away because they don't trust the owners of the club and they don't like them. They think they should leave.
"Ultimately the ball is in the owners court on what they do next. The fans have been powerful. They have stood up for what's right."
- 'This is just the start' -
Neville's former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes the protesters are so tired of the Glazers that they are sure to cause more problems in the future.
"United fans have had enough. They're doing this because they love the club. It's not just the last few weeks and the Super League, it's been building for years. They've thought enough is enough," said.
"This has been the build-up of the last few years. The leadership of the club hasn't been good enough.
"When they look at the owners they think it's all about making money. I believe the United fans are doing this because they love the cub.
"People might not agree but sometimes you have to put a marker down for people to notice. This will go all over the world. Hopefully the owners see the fans are deadly serious.
"There's more to come, this is just the start from Man Utd fans, I guarantee you."
There was a mood of celebration among fans outside Old Trafford when the game was postponed and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher refused to condemn the protests.
"Do we want fans storming stadiums left right and centre and getting games called off? No we don't," he said.
"But I'm not going to sit here and criticise Man Utd fans. I think it's a good thing, protesting not being happy at what's happened at the club."
Man Utd fans storm Old Trafford, Arsenal cruise at Newcastle
Issued on: 02/05/2021 - 17:06
Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, inside Old Trafford Oli SCARFF AFP
London (AFP)
Manchester United's clash against Liverpool was delayed after fans stormed Old Trafford in protest at the club's owners on Sunday, while Arsenal kept Newcastle waiting to confirm their Premier League safety with a 2-0 win at St James Park.
Manchester City will be crowned English champions for the third time in four seasons if second placed United lose to Liverpool.
But Pep Guardiola's side saw their hopes of a title party put on hold for a while at least after concerning scenes several hours before kick-off at Old Trafford.
Around 200 United fans managed to get onto the pitch in protest at the club's owners.
The Glazer family, already disliked by many United supporters, were widely criticised for their leading role in the failed breakaway European Super League.
A small group of United supporters got into the club's training ground to protest against the Glazers last week, but this was a much more significant incident.
The protestors pushed down security barriers outside Old Trafford and ran onto the pitch.
Fans waved anti-Glazer banners and set off green and yellow flares -- the colours of United's Newton Heath founders.
One flare was fired towards a television commentary gantry and small sections of the turf were damaged before order was finally restored.
Both United and Liverpool's players were in their team hotels when the breach occurred.
When another group of around 30 demonstrators got into the stadium via a different route, there were growing concerns that the match would have to be postponed for safety reasons.
As hundreds more protested outside Old Trafford, the Premier League confirmed the scheduled 1530 GMT kick-off would be delayed.
Arsenal won for the first time in four games in all competitions thanks to Mohamed Elneny's first Premier League goal and a superb strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Fourth bottom Newcastle remain nine points clear of the relegation zone with four games left.
Amid growing calls for his dismissal after one of Arsenal's worst seasons in decades, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows the only way to silence the critics is to qualify for next season's Champions League by winning the Europa League.
Arteta admits he is prioritising the Europa League, so it was no surprise that only Martin Odegaard, Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka kept their places in the team beaten 2-1 by Villarreal in the semi-final first leg on Thursday.
Next Thursday's second leg at the Emirates Stadium has already been billed by Arteta as the "crucial moment" in Arsenal's season, but he hoped an encouraging display against Newcastle would provide the ideal preparation.
Arsenal rose to the challenge and were ahead after just six minutes when Hector Bellerin ran onto David Luiz's long pass and cut his cross back to Aubameyang.
Aubameyang miscued his attempted shot but the ball ran to Egypt midfielder Elneny just inside the Newcastle area and he smashed a fine strike past Martin Dubravka from the edge of the area.
Arsenal threatened a second when Granit Xhaka's thumping effort was pushed away by Dubravka.
Having scored his maiden top-flight goal, Elneny had a taste for another and his powerful header was cleared off the line by Miguel Almiron.
Arsenal's 13 shots were their most in the first half of a Premier League game since 2018.
Aubameyang killed off Newcastle in the 66th minute with his first goal in seven games.
The Gabon forward has endured a poor season but he showed his class when he met Gabriel Martinelli's cross with a superb flying volley from six yards.
Newcastle had Fabian Schar sent off in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Martinelli.
Tottenham host Sheffield United in the day's late game.
© 2021 AFP
London (AFP)
Manchester United's clash against Liverpool was delayed after fans stormed Old Trafford in protest at the club's owners on Sunday, while Arsenal kept Newcastle waiting to confirm their Premier League safety with a 2-0 win at St James Park.
Manchester City will be crowned English champions for the third time in four seasons if second placed United lose to Liverpool.
But Pep Guardiola's side saw their hopes of a title party put on hold for a while at least after concerning scenes several hours before kick-off at Old Trafford.
Around 200 United fans managed to get onto the pitch in protest at the club's owners.
The Glazer family, already disliked by many United supporters, were widely criticised for their leading role in the failed breakaway European Super League.
A small group of United supporters got into the club's training ground to protest against the Glazers last week, but this was a much more significant incident.
The protestors pushed down security barriers outside Old Trafford and ran onto the pitch.
Fans waved anti-Glazer banners and set off green and yellow flares -- the colours of United's Newton Heath founders.
One flare was fired towards a television commentary gantry and small sections of the turf were damaged before order was finally restored.
Both United and Liverpool's players were in their team hotels when the breach occurred.
When another group of around 30 demonstrators got into the stadium via a different route, there were growing concerns that the match would have to be postponed for safety reasons.
As hundreds more protested outside Old Trafford, the Premier League confirmed the scheduled 1530 GMT kick-off would be delayed.
Arsenal won for the first time in four games in all competitions thanks to Mohamed Elneny's first Premier League goal and a superb strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Fourth bottom Newcastle remain nine points clear of the relegation zone with four games left.
Amid growing calls for his dismissal after one of Arsenal's worst seasons in decades, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows the only way to silence the critics is to qualify for next season's Champions League by winning the Europa League.
Arteta admits he is prioritising the Europa League, so it was no surprise that only Martin Odegaard, Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka kept their places in the team beaten 2-1 by Villarreal in the semi-final first leg on Thursday.
Next Thursday's second leg at the Emirates Stadium has already been billed by Arteta as the "crucial moment" in Arsenal's season, but he hoped an encouraging display against Newcastle would provide the ideal preparation.
Arsenal rose to the challenge and were ahead after just six minutes when Hector Bellerin ran onto David Luiz's long pass and cut his cross back to Aubameyang.
Aubameyang miscued his attempted shot but the ball ran to Egypt midfielder Elneny just inside the Newcastle area and he smashed a fine strike past Martin Dubravka from the edge of the area.
Arsenal threatened a second when Granit Xhaka's thumping effort was pushed away by Dubravka.
Having scored his maiden top-flight goal, Elneny had a taste for another and his powerful header was cleared off the line by Miguel Almiron.
Arsenal's 13 shots were their most in the first half of a Premier League game since 2018.
Aubameyang killed off Newcastle in the 66th minute with his first goal in seven games.
The Gabon forward has endured a poor season but he showed his class when he met Gabriel Martinelli's cross with a superb flying volley from six yards.
Newcastle had Fabian Schar sent off in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Martinelli.
Tottenham host Sheffield United in the day's late game.
© 2021 AFP
No comments:
Post a Comment