Manchester United-Liverpool Match Postponed After Fans Storm Pitch
Manchester United’s Premier League match against Liverpool was postponed on Sunday after United fans forced their way into the stadium and stormed the Old Trafford pitch in protest against the club’s owners – the Glazer family.
“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 after the game was called off.
“Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.”
Liverpool also issued a statement saying they were in full agreement with the decision.
An hour after the scheduled 1530 GMT kickoff, both sets of players were still stuck in their hotels. The Lowry Hotel, where United’s players were preparing for the match, was also the scene of a large anti-Glazer protest.
Greater Manchester Police said around 100 United fans took to the pitch, some letting off flares and others carrying posters calling for the Glazers to end their ownership of the club they bought in 2005.
Police said some United staff locked themselves in rooms.
The match was being played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions but that did not stop the chaotic scenes inside and outside Old Trafford, which left one police officer requiring emergency treatment after being slashed with a bottle, Greater Manchester Police said.
“Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United versus Liverpool game has been postponed,” the Premier League said in a statement. “This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities.”
“The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance. We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches.”
There was no word on when they match would be played. Second-placed United needed a win to prevent Manchester City being crowned champions on Sunday.
While the protest had been planned and was largely peaceful, it descended into chaos as fans infiltrated the stadium.
Hundreds of fans also gathered outside the ground, letting off green and gold flares — the colours of United’s shirts when they were formed as Newton Heath and adopted by those who have regularly protested against the club’s hierarchy.
The protest follows United’s initial decision to join a European Super League (ESL) along with five other English clubs. The plans for that breakaway league fell apart within days due to widespread opposition.
“On the back of the indefensible ESL proposals, and an “apology” from the Glazers which we do not accept, we need to give fans a meaningful share in the ownership of United and a meaningful voice in how it is run,” Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), said in a statement after the postponement.
“The Government now needs to act. That has to mean a process which results in fans having the opportunity to buy shares in their club and more to the point no single private shareholder holding a majority ownership of our football clubs which allows them to abuse that ownership.”
“The Government needs to reflect the views of ordinary people who see that now is the time to reclaim the people’s game,” added MUST.
Former United defender Gary Neville, who was a fierce critic of the club’s decision to join the Super League, was in the ground as part of the Sky Sports commentary team.
“The reason why those thousands and thousands of fans came today is because they have had enough. They have had enough,” Neville said.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
