One of the biggest football fixtures in the world, Manchester United Vs Liverpool was postponed due to fans protest at the Old Trafford. Around 200 fans entered the stadium and protested against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. The fixture was scheduled to kick off at 15:30 GMT on Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police criticized the protesters for their “hostile” behaviour as six officers were injured. The protesters also targeted the Lowry Hotel, where the United players were staying, and blocked the team from making it to the stadium. The protests turned violent as flares, bottles and barriers were thrown at police and six officers were injured.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: “Six police officer injuries have been reported so far with one officer receiving a fractured eye socket, requiring medical treatment, and another sustained a wound to his face, following bottles and cans being thrown from the crowd. A third officer was dragged and kicked. The officer who attended hospital has since been discharged.”
“As the situation increased in hostility, additional officers had to be deployed and officers had to be drawn in from neighboring forces to assist Greater Manchester officers. A 28-year-old man has been arrested as a consequence of this investigation and all available evidence is being urgently reviewed to identify both the organizers of this protest and those responsible for the officer assaults.”
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey didn’t agree with the way some of United fans protested. “The behavior shown at this protest was absolutely atrocious,” Bailey said.
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“Officers were just trying to do their job and facilitate a peaceful protest, however a number of those present became hostile and aggressive towards officers and forced entry to the football grounds, making it very clear that this protest was not peaceful and ruining it for the majority of protesters who had not intended for the protest to become violent.”
“Our officers tried to engage with protestors, but were met with violence and aggression which resulted in enforcement action being taken. Enforcement will always be a last resort, but in these circumstances, it was deemed necessary in order to maintain safety during a situation that was rising in hostility.”
The fixture will be rescheduled in the coming weeks. Only time will tell if fans will get what they want or not but it’s pretty much clear, that they are not happy with the way the club is making the decisions.
