Fallout continues following ‘violent disorder’ at Man Utd protests over weekend
Six officers were injured during the demonstrations at Old Trafford, with one video of an officer appearing to strike someone on the ground being referred to the GMP Standards Branch.
Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation into the ‘violent disorder’ at Old Trafford over the weekend – which culminated in multiple injuries, one arrest, and a video of officer conduct being referred for an internal review.
Over 1,000 fans attended Manchester United’s stadium on Sunday (May 2) ahead of the Premier League fixture with Liverpool as part of a demonstration against the club’s owners – with hundreds more gathering outside the Lowry Hotel.
Some supporters managed to break into Old Trafford itself and get onto the pitch.
The game was ultimately postponed.
Various protests have been held against the Glazer owners since the American family took full control of Man Utd in 2005. Sunday’s demonstration had been organised in response to the club’s proposed participation in the much-maligned – and now defunct – European Super League.
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📸 Manchester United fans storm Old Trafford to protest against Glazers on pitch pic.twitter.com/FBWiOS5AJH
Some parts of Sunday’s demonstrations proceeded peacefully – with supporters groups hailing a “victory“.
But later in the day, a series of ensuing scuffles resulted in six police officers being injured after being “met with hostility”.
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GMP said that “flares were let off and bottles and barriers were thrown at police and horses.”
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey called some of the behaviour “absolutely atrocious.”
He added: “Officers were just trying to do their job and facilitate a peaceful protest, however a number of those present became hostile and aggressive towards officers and forced entry to the football grounds, making it very clear that this protest was not peaceful and ruining it for the majority of protesters who had not intended for the protest to become violent.”
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One officer suffered a fractured eye socket in the disorder, whereas another “sustained a wound to his face following bottles and cans being thrown from the crowd”. Another officer was reportedly “dragged and kicked”.
Police say that a 28-year-old man has been arrested as a consequence of the investigation into the protests.
A video has also appeared on social media which appears to show an officer striking an individual on the ground after dragging them behind a police van.
According to the MEN, the footage was recorded by the team hotel and occurred after some supporters had been blocking vehicles on the nearby road.
GMP released a statement in reference to the footage that reads: “We are aware of a video circulating online of officers making an arrest during a protest today (2 May) near The Lowry Hotel.
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“The video depicts officers arresting a 28-year-old male on suspicion of a theft from a motor vehicle and a public order offence. He currently remains in custody for questioning.
“GMP’s Professional Standards Branch has been made aware of the video and will be examining the footage and all available evidence to understand the full circumstances surrounding the arrest.”
📸 Anti Glazer protests at Old Trafford today that led to the postponement of Manchester United v Liverpool
Was such a proud weekend to be a Manchester United fan. To see such organised protests on 2 fronts, postponing the biggest game in English football, in a stand against the Glazers, was incredible. It’s just the beginning. 👊 pic.twitter.com/upVXL2nFkE
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) May 4, 2021
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also spoken out regarding the protests, telling reporters: “I don’t think it’s a good idea to have disruptive behaviour, demonstrations of that kind.
“But on the other hand, I do understand people’s strength of feeling.
“And I think that it’s a good thing that we have been able to do things that make it pretty clear that the European Super League is not going to be appreciated by the people of this country, or by this Government.”
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GMP is also appealing for any footage from the event itself as the investigation continues.
Featured image: mufctilly
News
Skof scoops Michelin Star in stunning victory for Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Skof has taken home a Michelin Star less than a year after opening in a landmark moment for Manchester.
The restaurant, which only opened in May last year, has been awarded its first Michelin Star tonight in a glittering ceremony hosted in Glasgow.
It’s a huge triumph for Manchester, which only had one Michelin Star before tonight, held by Mana in Ancoats.
Prior to Mana, the city had famously not had a star for more than 40 years.
The prestigious award for Skof has been presented to chef Tom Barnes, former L’Enclume executive chef.
Skof lies under Simon Rogan’s UMBEL restaurant group umbrella, and opened last year in an old textile warehouse just a short stroll from Manchester Victoria.
Skof was added to the Michelin Guide last August, where judges wrote: “Located in an old textile warehouse, this restaurant from former L’Enclume Executive Chef Tom Barnes gives a nod to Manchester’s industrial heritage with its exposed brickwork and girders.
“The cooking skilfully blends measured international flavours with those from the restaurant’s doorstep; for dessert, you’re just as likely to get amakase sorbet as you are Manchester honey ice cream.
“The meal ends with a scoop of “Barney’s Tiramisu”, touchingly inspired by Tom’s late father.
“A relaxed atmosphere is encouraged, with the chef’s hand-picked playlist and the chattering diners combining for a brilliant buzz.”
Audience members ejected from Dolly Parton musical in Manchester due to homophobic heckling
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester run of Here You Come Again, a new Dolly Parton musical comedy, has been repeatedly disrupted by vile homophobic heckling from the audience, its star has revealed.
Actor and West End star Steven Webb shared a video addressing the issue on TikTok, saying that audience members had to be ejected from the Manchester Opera House.
The star of the lively new musical, which tells the story of a diehard Dolly Parton fan and is packed with the country star’s biggest hits, said the cast had faced an ‘insane’ amount of homophobia.
Steven said they once had to do a full show stop in Manchester and leave the stage after one audience member was ‘disgusted that there was a gay character on stage’ and began shouting mid-show, causing ‘a ruckus’ in the audience.
He said: “It’s a Dolly Parton musical, it’s gonna be a little bit gay, obviously.”
Steven also said: “Travelling the country and seeing how many people literally cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage, it’s wild. I feel very sorry for them.”
The Manchester Opera House stressed that it has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to ‘bullying, harassment, or any form of abusive behaviour towards our cast, crew, or staff’.
The theatre, and its sister venue the Palace Theatre, said: “Our theatre team is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone – both on and off the stage.
“Whilst these incidents are rare, we have a zero-tolerance policy to bullying, harassment, or any form of abusive behaviour towards our cast, crew, or staff. Anyone engaging in such conduct will be removed from the venue immediately.
Actor Steven Webb stars in Here You Come Again, a Dolly Parton musical, in Manchester. Credit: TikTok, @thatsteviewebb
“Thank you to all our theatre goers who continue to act with respect and kindness towards others.”
Steven said in his video: “The amount of audience members we have had to eject from our show due to homophobia is… insane. It is insane.
“Just this week in Manchester alone, last night we had to eject someone who was shouting out slurs, and on Wednesday we had to stop the whole show.
“We had to do an entire show stop and leave the stage, because a woman was so disgusted that there was a gay character on stage, and she was shouting out and then all the audience started shouting at her and then there was a sort of massive ruckus. So she eventually was ejected and we could start again, but we were stopped for 15 or 20 minutes.
“It’s crazy. It’s happening nearly every single week and it blows my mind. This is a Dolly Parton musical, first of all.
“It’s a Dolly Parton musical, it’s gonna be a little bit gay, obviously.
“It’s really opened my eyes, because we’re in such a bubble in this industry. But travelling the country and seeing how many people literally cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage, it’s wild. I feel very sorry for them.”
The Manc -
4th May 2021 
