Man U players warned not to join anti-Glazer protest

London, May 8 (ANI): Keeping in mind plans of rebel Manchester United supporters to flood the Old Trafford stadium with the champions’ old colours to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership, players have been ordered not to pick up any such scarves hurled on the pitch after Sunday’s Premier League game.

Pressure group Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) announced on Friday that they would be handing out free “Glazers Out” kits containing a flag, whistle and card emblazoned with the word “GO”.

They blame the American family for saddling the club with huge debts and want fans to hold up the cards when TV cameras focus on them or if United score against Stoke City.

United players have been warned that they must not give the “Glazers Out” campaign publicity by donning anything green and gold, like ex-star David Beckham did when he returned with AC Milan earlier this year.

“The word has come down from on high that the lads should only pick up red and white scarves, hats and flags. The Beckham incident was quite embarrassing for the club and the last thing they want is for Wayne Rooney or Ryan Giggs to be seen in green and gold,” The Sun quoted a United source, as saying.

In an email to supporters, MUST said: “Win, lose or draw, let’s call time on the Glazers. The manager, the players, the supporters – we’re all part of one big Manchester United family. The Glazers are not part of our family. We need to make that clear!”

Club chief executive David Gill said last week he would rather see the stadium full of red and white scarves instead of green and gold. (ANI)

Man United fans asked to donate 25 pounds each to help Red Knights buy club

London, Mar 27(ANI): Manchester United fans have been reportedly asked by a supporters’ trust to donate 25 pounds or more each to help fund a takeover bid by the Red Knights.

According to reports, an email has been sent to supporters requesting their views on the current ownership and asking if they would be prepared to make a cash donation.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust had earlier said that it backs the Red Knights’ campaign.

The Red Knights, a consortium of financial figures including former Football League chairman Keith Harris and Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O”Neill, have already said that they will give supporters a greater say in the running of the club if the takeover were ever successful.

However, members of the consortium have also confirmed that they did not intend to make a bid for Manchester United before the end of the season.

“In the next few weeks we will continue to work on our proposal. We do not expect this to be finalised before the end of the current football season,” Sky News quoted a new statement from the Red Knights, as saying.

“This will have the advantage of minimizing external distractions as the team enters the decisive period of the season,” he added.

United is currently owned by American businessman Malcolm Glazer and his family, who have repeatedly insisted that the club is not for sale. They have received public backing from the club’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (ANI)

Two stabbed, 19 arrested for Champions League final

Rome – A Spanish fan was arrested Thursday morning for assaulting police officers who were trying to stop a brawl between Barcelona and Manchester United supporters after the Champions League final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

The ANSA news agency reported that the drunken 23-year-old was the 19th person to be arrested, while 18 others were charged with various offences before and after the game that Barcelona won 2-0.

In the two worse incidents, hooligans Tuesday night stabbed a United fan and a US citizen believed to be a supporter of the English club.

An alcohol ban from Tuesday to early Thursday seemed to have little effect as many fans were seen drinking freely in various areas of Rome.

Barcelona celebrated their third continental title until early morning at the American Academy at Rome’s Gianicolo hill.

Hundred of fans saluted the players as they left Villa Aurelia carrying the coveted cup on their motor coach.

No troubles were reported at the two Rome airports where police kept thousands of fans of the two clubs separated as they boarded their flights.(dpa)

Man U fans should stay clear of Rome hotspots

London, May 20 (ANI): Manchester United fans should steer clear of certain Rome hotspots when they visit the city for the Champions League final, the British Foreign Office has warned.

Thousands of fans are expected to travel without tickets

According to Sky News, over 30,000 Manchester United supporters are expected to arrive in Rome in time for the showdown with Barcelona on May 27.

The safety guidance was issued amid fears they could be targeted by gangs in the city.

Supporters were warned not to take the metro to the Piazzale Flaminio or to use one of the Eternal City’s bridges, the Ponte Duca D’Aosta.

The FCO also issued guidance to stay “as far away as possible” from the Campo dei Fiori square, where there has been trouble in previous years.

With estimates that up to 10,000 will travel without tickets, officials are concerned the sheer number of fans heading to Rome could lead to safety issues.

There will be an official meeting point at Villa Borghese and free transport to and from the Stadio Olimpico for official fans and between Villa Borghese and the stadium for independent fans.

Mayor Gianni Alemanno said: “Rome welcomes the British fans with open arms and we look forward to celebrating this great sporting festival together.” (ANI)

Booze ban for Euro final

London, May 13 (ANI): British football fans will be hit by a booze ban during the Champions League final.

According to the Daily Star, Manchester United supporters will not be able to buy alcohol near the Olympic stadium in a bid to stop crowd trouble.

The city’s mayor imposed the ban, despite last season’s final in Moscow between United and arch-rivals Chelsea passing off without incident.

Tens of thousands of fans of United and Spanish giants Barcelona will descend on the Italian capital on May 27.

But Mayor Gianni Alemanno is more worried that Italian hooligans will attack United supporters after assaults on English fans during recent matches in the country.

“There will be an alcohol exclusion zone around the stadium,” said one city source.

“The English fans may not like it but it will be for their own protection. It can be easier to have misunderstandings when you’re drunk,” the source added.

A spokesman for European football’s governing body UEFA said: “Police co-ordination is the key.” (ANI)

Man U fans, a divided house over Fergie fielding weakened line-up in FA Cup semis

London, Apr.21 (ANI): Shocked Manchester United fans are bitterly divided over Sir Alex Ferguson’s weakened line-up for the FA Cup semi-final where they were defeated by Everton.

According to a report in the Daily Star, thousands believe that the outcome might have been very different had United fielded anything approaching their strongest side for the Wembley clash when they went down on penalties.

Leaving out stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick backfired for Sir Alex.

But he’s not the first manager to risk losing an FA Cup game by making other matches a higher priority.

At Manchester United this season Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp rested players for the FA Cup tie to keep them fresh for league battles.

Pro-Fergie United fans said they were willing to sacrifice one trophy in return for increasing their chances of winning other silverware.

Dennis Alderson, secretary of Westmorland Manchester United Supporters’ Club, backed Sir Alex’s decision even if it cost the chance of a historic clean sweep of five trophies.

But Pete Boyle, of United magazine redissue, said: “If United end up with nothing more than the Carling Cup some people will question Fergie’s decision.

Ian Stirling, of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, said: “I’m sure when Everton saw United’s team-sheet and Rooney and Ronaldo weren’t even on the bench it would have given them a lift.” (ANI)