Some irate Manchester United fans have been sentenced after a protest turned violent in May 2021 at Old Trafford.
A total of 39 people were sentenced over their roles in a protest against Manchester United’s owners the Glazer Family at Old Trafford last year.
The widely-criticized American owners were the subject of several protests in the spring of 2021 following their attempts to join the failed European Super League.
One protest at Old Trafford in May saw supporters break onto the Old Trafford pitch ahead of a proposed Premier League game with Liverpool, which had to be postponed.
GMP released footage of the moment protests turned to violence resulting in the assault of 36 police officers.
The footage has been released as 41 men have appeared before the courts to be sentenced for their roles in the disorder.
Originally tweeted by Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) on November 25, 2022.
Newly-released video footage from the protest also showed police officers being assaulted and having objects thrown in their direction as they attempted to quell the disruption.
Now, Greater Manchester Police have announced that 39 people have been handed sentences for their part in the disorder, ranging from the ages of 15 to 52.
A total of 36 GMP officers are said to have been assaulted, and one required hospital treatment after sustaining a serious facial injury in the chaos.
Furthermore, security staff at the stadium were also targeted alongside stewards, while £70,000 worth of damage was reported inside Old Trafford.
The damage caused inside Old Trafford exceeded £70,000, including £60,000 worth of damage to TV cameras owned by a private company, said GMP.
The offenses that the supporters were sentenced for included assault, criminal damage, and burglary, with many receiving football banning orders, preventing them from attending matches for a set period.
Protesters started to become “aggressive and antagonistic towards GMP officers” who were “assaulted with bottles, flares and safety barriers”, the police said.
GMP said 36 officers were assaulted in total, with one officer receiving a serious facial injury requiring medical treatment, along with stewards and security staff.
One of the police said the incident also happened in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic when emergency services were “already stretched”.
According to a report from which states that two fans are also set to be sentenced at a later date, one appearing in court next month and the other in April of next year, those convicted have also been hit with football banning orders.
On the other hand, In the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview criticising the club’s ownership and subsequent exit, the Glazer family has announced that they are open to selling the club shortly.
The American family has been a part of Man United since Malcolm Glazer bought his first stake in the club in 2003, and they assumed full control of the club in the summer of 2005.
A host of big names have been linked with the Red Devils since the announcement, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe among those thought to be considering a takeover bid.
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister has also confirmed that the country’s government would support any bids for the 20-time English champions from private sector buyers.
