MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Premier League match towards Liverpool was postponed on Sunday after United fans compelled their approach into the stadium and stormed the Old Trafford pitch to protest towards the membership`s house owners – the Glazer household.
“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 mentioned in a press release after the sport was referred to as off.
“Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.”
Premier League assertion after United-Liverpool is named off
“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.” pic.twitter.com/tyB5qU7gEx
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 2, 2021
An hour after the scheduled 1530 GMT kickoff, each units of gamers had been nonetheless of their inns. The Lowry Hotel, the place United`s gamers had been making ready for the match, was additionally the scene of a giant anti-Glazer protest.
Around 200 United fans took to the pitch, some letting off flares and others carrying posters calling for the Glazer household, the membership`s American house owners, to promote the membership.
The match was being performed behind closed doorways resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.
Media representatives protecting the sport, together with Reuters, had been saved exterior because the stadium was locked down.
In a press release the Premier League mentioned: “Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United versus Liverpool game has been postponed. 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 phrase on once they match could be performed. Second-placed United wanted a win to forestall Manchester City being topped champions on Sunday.
While the protest had been deliberate and was largely peaceable, it descended into chaos as fans infiltrated the stadium.
A big crowd of fans additionally gathered exterior the bottom, letting off inexperienced and gold flares — the colors of United`s shirts once they had been shaped as Newton Heath.
Mounted police moved in to attempt to clear the areas exterior the stadium and there have been some remoted incidents with bottles and obstacles being thrown.
The deliberate protest follows United`s preliminary determination to affix a European Super League together with 5 different English golf equipment. The plans for that breakaway league fell aside inside days resulting from widespread opposition.
Speaking forward of the protest, United supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer mentioned: “It`s important that the fans` views are listened to and we communicate better. My job is to focus on the football side and that we have the best possible team.”
