Manchester United fans storm stadium in protest of U.S. owners before Liverpool match

Fans gathered outside Old Trafford Stadium to demand the Glazer family, 
who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sell the club.

MANCHESTER, England — Anti-ownership protests by Manchester United fans 
forced the postponement of Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool 
as supporters stormed the stadium and reached the pitch, while thousands 
of others gathered outside Old Trafford to demand the Glazer family 
ownership sell 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. Supporters have been kept out of games due to the coronavirus 
pandemic.

United and Liverpool players were unable to travel to the stadium where 
there were clashes briefly between fans and the police under a shower of 
glass bottles as flares were sent off.

Although the crowds were later dispersed around the time the game was due 
to start, United said the game was postponed “due to safety and security 
considerations around the protest” after discussions with police, 
authorities and the league.

“Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely 
acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest,” United 
said in a statement. “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 Premier League, which was yet to announce a new date for the match, 
expressed concern about the disorder.

“The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount 
importance,” the Premier League said in a statement. "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. 
Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the 
actions of a minority seen today have no justification.

“We sympathize with the police and stewards who had to deal with a 
dangerous situation that should have no place in football.”

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 found a way into the stadium and 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.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/angry-manchester-united-fans-storm-
stadium-protest-ownership-liverpool-match-n1266077