Klopp’s Liverpoolers have to wait: ManU fans storm the stadium – game canceled

Klopp’s Liverpoolers have to wait
ManU fans storm the stadium – game canceled

In Manchester, Jürgen Klopp will play against Manchester United with his Liverpool FC that evening. The game could decide the championship. But it doesn’t come to that: fan protests ensure that the game is canceled.

After a storm of Manchester United fans, the club’s Premier League game against Liverpool has been postponed. The game could not take place as originally planned, announced the Premier League. Previously, the kick-off, which was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CEST, had been postponed. The fans of the English football champions had stormed the lawn at the Old Trafford stadium to protest against the American owners of the club. United said the decision was made jointly by the police, the league, the organizers and the two clubs because of security concerns.

The fans underline their protest with pyrotechnics.

(Photo: REUTERS)

In the “Theater of Dreams” gold-green clouds of smoke lay over the lawn when the angry fan soul boiled over for a short time. From the crowd of 200 to 300 Manchester United supporters demonstrating on the square, a flare rocket flew towards the stands, but missed its target.

Before the duel with arch rivals Liverpool FC for team manager Jürgen Klopp, up to 10,000 fans again vented their displeasure. 200 to 300 of them penetrated to Old Trafford and chanted “Glazers out!” Over and over there. They lit smoke pots in the original club colors, waved corner flags in triumph and even played football on the pitch. There were skirmishes with the police, a camera team was pelted with beer, about half a dozen fans made it into the players tunnel, but probably not into the cabins.

The club said it recognized the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. “However, we regret the disruption to the team and the actions that endanger other fans, staff and the police.”

“We decide where you play”

When the mounted police had also cleared the forecourt at Old Trafford around 5 p.m. local time, the game at least seemed to have a chance again, but in the end it was canceled. This postponed the possible Manchester City championship celebration. National player Ilkay Gündogan’s club would have been champions for the seventh time in the event of a defeat by pursuers United four games before the end of the season. When the match between United and Jürgen Klopps FC Liverpool should be rescheduled was initially open.

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A young fan makes himself comfortable in the goal – or better: on top of it.

(Photo: Action Images via REUTERS)

The fans have been dissatisfied with the owners for a long time. The now discarded plans for a European Super League, one of whose initiators is Man United, had increased their displeasure. According to a report by the PA news agency, the protesters allegedly gained access to the pitch via a tunnel after knocking down a few barriers. The security staff tried in vain to push them back. Pictures and videos in British media showed fans running across the square and lighting torches. After about 20 minutes, some are said to have left the stadium voluntarily.

United supporters stormed the training grounds of the famous English club last Thursday. On banners (“We decide where you play”, “Out with the Glazers”) they also gave air to their displeasure.

“There is a general distrust”

“That is the result of the actions of the owners of Manchester United two weeks ago,” said club legend Gary Neville on “Sky”. The flare was probably his expert colleague Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool professional, who, however, also expressed understanding for the fans. “There is a general distrust and displeasure with the owners,” explained Neville. The Glazers and other club bosses had followed the Super League plans “behind everyone’s back” to “run away with the crown jewels”. He “understand the frustration and why the fans act,” said former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel on Sky. But it is “completely wrong” to storm the stadium.

There the supporters showed posters with the inscription: “Away with the virus – Glazers out!” A police helicopter circled overhead. According to the BBC, they gained access to the inside of the stadium via a fan shop. There were also protests in front of the United team hotel, and the team bus was prevented from leaving for the stadium.

ManUnited, majority owned by the Glazer family since 2005, had initially joined the planned Super League like five other Premier League clubs (ManCity, Liverpool, Chelsea FC, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC). A dozen high-profile European clubs around Real Madrid wanted to launch this. Two days after the founding and the numerous protests that followed, all English clubs withdrew their willingness to participate. Joel Glazer had been slated to serve as vice president of the new rich league.

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