Manchester United postponed towards Liverpool after protests towards Glazer

A football fan sings slogans before a protest against Manchester United ownership.

Andy Barton, SOPA Pictures | LightRocket | Getty Images

Manchester United The Premier League game against Liverpool at Old Trafford was postponed after protests against the Glazer family.

Hundreds of fans entered the stadium ahead of the closed-door competition, which was originally scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kick-off before it was delayed and then completely canceled.

Discussions are taking place about finding a new date for the game.

Greater Manchester Police said two police officers were injured in the demonstrations on Sunday, one of whom was hospitalized after being “seriously cut on the face”.

A United statement said: “Following talks between the police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our game against Liverpool has been postponed for security reasons in connection with today’s protest. Talks will now take place with the Premier League. ” a revised date for the device.

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“Our fans love Manchester United and we fully recognize the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

“However, we regret the disruption to the team and the actions that have endangered other fans, staff and the police. We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.”

Liverpool said they “fully agree” with the decision to postpone the postponement and would continue a dialogue with Manchester United, the Premier League and local authorities to find a convenient date for a postponement.

“We believe that public safety must be the most important factor in making such a decision, with the ability to provide a safe environment for attendees, staff and officials being a particular priority,” the club said in a statement.

Police officers monitor football fans during a protest against Glazer’s ownership of Manchester United.

Andy Barton, SOPA Pictures | LightRocket | Getty Images

“Due to a rapidly escalating situation, it was clearly not possible to guarantee this today.”

After confirming the postponement, the Premier League issued a statement condemning all “acts of violence, criminal harm and violations, particularly in the face of the related COVID-19 violations”.

“The safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of the utmost importance,” said a Premier League statement.

“We understand and respect the strength of emotion, but we condemn all acts of violence, criminal harm and violations, especially in light of the related COVID-19 violations.

“Fans have many channels to express their views on, but the minority actions that can be seen today have no justification. We sympathize with the police and stewards who have had to deal with a dangerous situation that the Football shouldn’t have a place.

“The rearrangement of the device will be communicated in due course.”

Man Utd Fan Protests and Postponement – A Timeline

• 1:00 p.m. – Fans gather outside the Trinity statue in the forecourt of Old Trafford while another group protests at the Lowry Hotel, where the United team is ahead of the game.
• 2 p.m. – The number of protesters rises to thousands outside of Old Trafford. Fireworks are released and a group of supporters begins to march towards the Munich tunnel.
• 2:30 p.m. – United fans breach security and break into the stadium to get onto the Old Trafford pitch. Torches are released, fireworks are thrown and a supporter waves one of the corner flags.
• 3 p.m. – The stadium is closed. Roaming around the stadium is required and the pitch is said to be damaged.
• 3:30 p.m. – Despite increasing uncertainty about the status of the game, the Premier League publishes the official team sheet an hour before kick-off.
• 3:55 p.m. – The Premier League issues a statement confirming that the game will not start at the scheduled start time
• 5:40 p.m. – Officials confirm the game will be postponed.
• 5:50 p.m. – The Premier League calls for the postponement

Fans also gathered outside the team’s hotel – the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where the United team stayed before the game – ahead of Sunday’s game at Old Trafford.

Greater Manchester Police said they were “aware” that the protests were taking place and “were working closely with partners to ensure those present are safe while maintaining their right to peaceful protest”.

“By late afternoon, around 200 demonstrators had gathered in front of the Lowry and over 1,000 in Old Trafford,” the police statement said.

“The officers continued to monitor the situation closely and deal with those present, but as the groups grew it became clear that many of those present did not intend to exercise their right to peaceful protest. Torches were released and bottles thrown at the officials.

“Protesters outside Old Trafford became particularly aggressive and antagonistic towards the police before a group of around 100 people forced the floor and some United employees locked themselves in rooms.

“Those in the stadium were evicted by officers, but outside in the forecourt, hostility grew with bottles and barriers thrown at officers and horses.”

Many United fans are still angry and upset about their club’s role as one of the founding members of the proposed breakaway European Super League.

The plans contributed to years of dissatisfaction and protests from supporters after the controversial takeover by Glaser in 2005.

United owner Joel Glazer, who was featured as vice chairman of the Super League at the announcement, apologized in an open letter to all of the club’s fans after they were forced to step back from plans.

That apology, however, appears to have been rejected by the club’s support base, which protested outside Old Trafford last week after more protests were made at United’s Carrington training ground.