MANCHESTER, England (AP) – As disgruntled Manchester United fans marched to Old Trafford on Sunday to express their anger at the club’s ownership, some demonstrators donned clown masks.
The 1958 fan group, which is organizing the march, has been a vocal critic of the Glazer family, who took control of United in 2005. British billionaire Jim RatcliffeHe is the owner of petrochemical giant INEOS and took charge of the club’s football operations in 2024.
The latest anti-ownership demonstration took place ahead of United’s Premier League match against Fulham.
Fans chanted their opposition to the owners, held banners and smoke from flares filled the air as protesters marched down Sir Matt Busby Way to the stadium’s forecourt.
Greater Manchester Police said there were between 500 and 600 protesters, but no arrests had been made.
The 1958 group have complained of “dysfunctional and inadequate ownership” of the 20-time English champions, who last won the league in 2013.
The Glazers have been unpopular with fans since they used leverage to buy the club 21 years ago. It was hoped that Ratcliffe, a boyhood United supporter, could bring back the good days, but so far his minority ownership has been marked by high-profile hires and firings. Ticket price increase and thorough cost reduction.
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