30/06/2005

Glazers return to Old Trafford

Malcolm Glazer’s three sons have reportedly returned to Old Trafford, a day after they were forced to leave in a police van, following protests by angry Manchester United fans.

Joel, Avi and Bryan, were reported to have continued their first tour of the ground today and met with Sir Bobby Charlton. The three men were appointed to the board of Manchester United, following the takeover of the Premiership club by their sports tycoon father.

The Glazer sons were forced to flee Old Trafford last night, after around 400 fans gathered outside the stadium, erecting barricades and attempting to stop the Glazers from leaving the ground, chanting slogans such as ‘die, Glazer, die’.

Fans reportedly pelted police officers and vehicles with missiles and some of them attempted to block the road. Police eventually managed to disperse the crowd, using dogs and batons.

However, it was reported that the Glazer brothers were also forced to abandon plans to stay in a hotel in Manchester’s city centre because of the protests.

Greater Manchester police said that two arrests had been made in connection with the protests – a 19-year-old, who was arrested for possession of a CS gas spray, while a 15-year-old was cautioned for causing damage to a police vehicle.

During yesterday’s visit to Old Trafford, the Glazer brothers had met with members of the Football Association. Joel Glazer, who is widely expected to become the club’s new chairman, is believed to have recorded an interview to be broadcast on the club’s channel, MUTV, on Friday, outlining the Glazers’ plans for Manchester United.

He said: “There had been a lot in the UK press about us in the last 18 months. This has been an invaluable chance to tell the men who run the game what the truth is.”

Many Manchester United fans have been angered over the takeover of the club by the American sports tycoon. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Mr Glazer had now acquired 98% of shares in the club, enough to enable him to force a compulsory buyout of the remaining shareholders.

Many fans say that the takeover, which reportedly involved a number of loans, had left the previously debt-free club with a number of debts.

(KMcA/SP)

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