POLICE condemned Manchester United fans’ ‘reckless and dangerous’ protest as an officer was left needing emergency treatment in hospital.
The Red Devils’ Premier League clash with arch-rivals Liverpool was postponed after hundreds of supporters stormed onto the Old Trafford pitch.
Thousands more gathered outside in protest at the club’s owners, the Glazer family, as police confirmed two officers were injured in clashes, with one needing emergency treatment in hospital after being ‘attacked with a bottle’.
A Greater Manchester Police statement read: “Officers were aware of a protest planned to take place in Old Trafford today (Sunday 2 May) and were working closely alongside partners to ensure those that attended were kept safe whilst enabling their right to peaceful protest.
“Early this afternoon, groups of protestors began to gather at Old Trafford and separately at The Lowry Hotel, Salford where the United players were staying. By late afternoon around 200 protestors had gathered outside the Lowry and over 1,000 at Old Trafford.
“Officers continued to closely monitor the situation, engaging with those present but as the groups grew in size; it became clear that many of those present were not intending to exercise their right to peaceful protest.
“Flares were let off and bottles thrown at officers.
Two officers have been injured with one officer being attacked with a bottle and sustaining a significant slash wound to his face, requiring emergency hospital treatment
“Protestors outside Old Trafford became especially aggressive and antagonistic towards police before a group of about 100 forced entry to the ground with some United staff having to lock themselves in rooms.
“Those in the stadium were evicted by officers but outside on the forecourt hostility grew with bottles and barriers being thrown at officers and horses.
“Two officers have been injured with one officer being attacked with a bottle and sustaining a significant slash wound to his face, requiring emergency hospital treatment.
“With the situation increasing in hostility, additional officers had to be deployed and officers had to be drawn in from neighbouring forces to assist Greater Manchester officers.
“Following discussion with The Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, a joint decision was made to postpone the match for safety reasons.”
An estimated 10,000 fans gathered en masse outside the Theatre of Dreams in a protest against the club’s American owners, with frustrations coming to a head after their failed plot to join the European Super League.
Fans even blocked the United squad from leaving the Lowry Hotel as the game was eventually called off an hour after its proposed 4.30pm kick-off time.
The players and staff eventually left the hotel at 7.15pm, with a police escort.
The demonstration had been planned days in advance, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pleading for it to be peaceful.
But tempers flared during the protests with supporters seen throwing punches at each other.
And footage later emerged online showing fans inside the ground where they stormed onto the pitch and lit off flares.
A flare was thrown towards the Sky Sports studio, where Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was watching on.
Sky Sports said during their live broadcast that pitch side cameras as well as balls, corner flags and other items have been taken.
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson added: “The behaviour displayed today by those at both Old Trafford and The Lowry Hotel was reckless and dangerous.
“We understand the passion many supporters have for their team and we fully respect the right for peaceful protest.
“Plans were in place to ensure this could happen safely, but it soon became clear that many present had no intention of doing so peacefully.
“The actions of those today required us to take officers from front line policing and call in support from neighbouring forces to prevent the disorder getting worse.
“At different points, bottles and barriers were thrown, officers assaulted and people scaled the stadium structure creating risk for themselves and officers
“We have launched an investigation and we will be working closely alongside partners to ensure we establish the full circumstances surrounding today’s events and prosecute those responsible.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
