Manchester United are facing a points deduction, as Premier League and FA rules contradict one another on postponements, Anaedoonline.ng reports.
The Red Devils were set to play Liverpool by 4.30pm this Sunday, but the match was cancelled after shocking scenes at Old Trafford.
Over 200 supporters invaded the pitch after attacking policemen outside the stadium.
With no assurances over safety regarding driving the team bus to the stadium, for United or Liverpool, a decision was made to call the game off.
The Premier League have begun an investigation into the incident and are questioning how over 200 fans got into the stadium.
According to the FA’s rulebook in section 8.3.4, it states that United could be found to have been at fault for the match not going ahead and see Liverpool awarded three points.
It reads: “In the event of a match being abandoned due to the conduct of one Club or its members or supporters the Board has the power to order that the match is not replayed and to award either one or three points to the Club not at fault.
“It cannot levy a financial penalty due to the conduct of a Club.”
However, due to the fact that the police were among those to decide that the game could not go on, the Premier League would state that the decision was not up to United.
Anaedoonline.ng reported that the scenes were sparked by the failed European Super League proposals, and turned ugly on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Premier League fixture.
Over a thousand Manchester United fans protested against the Glazer ownership ahead of the fixture against Liverpool, as some broke into the stadium and got onto the pitch, while Goal understands some fans attempted to get into the dressing rooms.
Fans turned up at Old Trafford at 1pm to protest against the Glazer ownership with banners and flares.
They pushed down barriers to force their way into the ground and made their way onto the pitch ahead of one of the biggest games of the season. Chants of “we want Glazers out” could be heard as they stormed into the ground.
What happened?
The protests were spurred on by the failed proposals of the European Super League, with supporters showing their anger against the Glazer family and trying to push for the 50+1 fan ownership model seen in Germany. It was the first planned protest the fans have taken part in since the ESL debacle nearly two weeks ago. Footage then emerged on social media of some supporters on the pitch at Old Trafford, having broken into the stadium at around 2pm.
Many of the fans carried flares and banners, chanted against the club’s ownership, and some even kicked a football around on the pitch. The invaders were initially removed from the pitch and police were working to clear debris from the playing surface, with the kick-off of Man Utd v Liverpool scheduled for 4.30pm. However, more fans subsequently broke back into the ground, and while they were also alter escorted out, there was great doubt over whether the game could go ahead.
The Premier League, who have a compliance officer on site, do not believe there are concerns about the game going ahead, however Goal understands some fans did attempt to make their way into the dressing rooms. Players and coaching staff were not at the stadium at the time, and were advised to remain at their team hotels with the game in doubt. Some club staff and media were being held in a car park while a decision was made.
Why are they protesting? Manchester United fans have been opposed to the Glazer ownership since the American family bought the club in 2005.
Read Also: Super League: Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Others Face Sanction From UEFA
They bought the club through a leveraged buyout for around £790 million ($1.1 billion). The money for the buyout was funded by debt that they would pay off from the club’s future profits. Since then the club have already paid out over £1 billion (€1.4bn) in bank fees and dividends to the owners.
While there have been protests over the years they have ramped up again recently due to the club’s involvement in the proposal of the ESL. Joel Glazer was one of the driving forces behind the now botched plans and it has reignited anger amongst the supporters who want the family to sell their shares in the club.
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