39 fans present at protests held at Old Trafford in May 2021 have been sentenced for their part in the events of the day.
Manchester United was scheduled to play Liverpool at the end of the 2020/21 season, but the game was called off when fans protesting the club’s ownership broke into the stadium hours before kick-off.
During a period when matches were being played behind closed doors, they made their way onto the pitch, into the stands, and around various other parts of Old Trafford during the afternoon, causing almost £70,000 in damage.
As the incident continues to be dealt with, further footage has been revealed, with the 39 fans ranging in age from 15 to 52 years old and being convicted for offenses such as violence, criminal damage, and burglary. As a result, prohibition orders have been issued.
“GMP’s Major Investigation Team launched an extensive investigation relating to the disorder, following up on a large number of inquiries and intelligence received from public appeals, as well as extensive CCTV analysis and identification work, to ensure these people were located and made to face the consequences of their appalling actions that day,” said Greater Manchester Police Chief Assistant Constable Wasim Chaudhry.
“Our officers put their lives on the line every day to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe, and it is absolutely shameful that anyone would willingly assault an emergency worker. We simply will not tolerate this happening.”
In the protests, 36 GMP police officers were hurt, while security and stewards were also trapped in the masses and assaulted.
Two more defendants from the protests will appear before the courts in December 2022 and April 2023.
