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Manchester United fan group call for full investigation into security after sit-in protest

They are currently compiling video evidence of this and other historical incidents.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th April 2025

A prominent Manchester United fan organisation have called for a full investigation into Old Trafford security after an alleged assault during the sit-in protest this past weekend, detailing what they called “not only unprofessional but completely disgraceful” conduct from stewards.

Large groups of Man United supporters stayed in the stadium beyond the full-time whistle was blown following a lacklustre 0-0 Manchester derby – one both Reds and City fans alike will soon forget – to voice their complaints as part of a planned sit-in protest on Sunday, 6 April.

The peaceful demonstration was a response to the news of season ticket price increases for the 2025/26 campaign and other policy changes in recent months; however, it seems frustrations in the stands reached boiling point in at least one instance, as a man is said to have been forcibly removed.

Now, a few days on from the incident, The 1958 group who were among the core group of sit-in protestors have raised “a formal and urgent complaint” against CSG (Controlled Solutions Group) Security over the “unacceptable behaviour” from at least one steward.

Penning a letter to United CEO Omar Berrada directly, the vocal arm of supporters have called for “the complete removal of CSG security services from all home games” following a fracas shared multiple times on social media.

Although the fan remains anonymous out of respect for his privacy and for legal reasons, they claim that the individual was “physically assaulted by a steward without provocation”.

They go on to add that “others in the area were verbally abused with foul and aggressive language”, noting that the incident in took place in the East Stand happened in full of view of both young and elderly match-goers.

Writing in an early post after being made aware of the accusations, The 1958 said: “United fans should not be targeted or bullied for protesting legally and peacefully.”

Having been sent some of the footage directly prior to the letter, official channels and contacts were made aware immediately but are still waiting for response from the the club.

You can see more images from the sit-in protests down below, including an image of 81-year-old and lifelong Red, Michael Carney, who is being forced to give up his season tickets after 74 years to make room for new hospitality seats as part of the ‘New Trafford’ stadium designs.

As mentioned, the club are still yet to officially address the alleged assault of the fan during the sit-in protest United, but supporters are continuing to pile of the pressure both through further planned demonstrations and online.

The organisation go on to reiterate that the club were informed of the protest “well in advance of the game” and took their own measures to “ensure fans’ safety”.

Describing how the events unfolded as a failure before asking that the letter be shared with Manchester United’s data protection offer(s), the sign off as follows:

We ask for urgent confirmation that this issue is being investigated seriously and expect a full repoinse outlining the steps the club will take to address this matter.”

Read more:

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Featured Images — Chris Haymes (supplied)/@MufcWonItAll2 (via X)

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Manchester City supporters groups call on club and fellow fans to ‘make their voices heard’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City fan groups call for voices to be heard statement on season ticket changes

A collection of Manchester City supporters groups has urged both the club and the fans themselves to “make [their] voice heard” this season, following this year’s protests over the new and “drastic” ticketing policy.

Man City fans gathered both before and after the game against Wolves back in April to make their feeling known regarding season ticket changes.

Appealing to manager Pep Guardiola directly, insisting that he needs their energy to get the kind of “alive” crowds he’s also called for in the past, ‘The 1984’ has now been joined by four other supporters trusts in reaffirming their aims for the new campaign.

Sharing a new joint statement on social media, the five fan groups say that “last season saw unprecedented off-pitch unrest among City fans in the post-Maine Road era”, and the only way to avoid further disruption is to listen and heed their warnings.

Writing on behalf of the aforementioned 1894 group, Canal Street Blues, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, Solid Citizens, Trade Union Blues and nearly 700 official members, as you can see, they penned a lengthy open letter to the club and the City Football Group (CFG).

“Despite recent success on the field,” they say, “two major in-stadium protests took place, with an estimated 16,000+ fans delaying their entry at the Leicester and Wolves games, and thousands more joining silent protests.

“The triggers were rising ticket prices, season ticket availability, poor supporter engagement (including the Club refusing to meet City Matters on ticket prices for months), and away fans in home sections – often linked to third-party resellers like Viagogo, whose new partnership with the Club proved the breaking point.”

They also conceded that the freeze in the cost of a full season ticket and reduced matchday prices were a welcome breath of fresh air and stirred hope for better fan engagement moving forward.

However, as the statement continues, “Unfortunately, the Club has instead introduced sweeping changes to season ticket terms and conditions, hitting some of our most loyal supporters and damaging long-standing fan culture.”

You can see all of the new and almost universally opposed ticket changes listed in full via bullet points above, but standouts include an unprecedented ’10-game personal attendance policy’ – the first of its kind in English football – stricter ticket transfer rules, and even new facial recognition scanners.

Fan reaction online has been as you would expect; most City supporters are in almost overwhelming agreement with the concerns raised in the latest communication, particularly in the minimum attendance and transfer rules, adding: “the latter directly undermines the stated aim of ‘keeping the stadium full.'”

“There are also fears some of these rules won’t apply equally to hospitality season ticket holders, introducing worries of inequality between fans,” the statement continues.

“These changes create unnecessary workload for ticket office staff, introduce barriers for digitally excluded fans, force some into paid memberships, and erode supporter culture.

“All [the] while, City Matters, our elected Fan Advisory Board, has repeatedly faced delays and broken deadlines for meeting minutes, with the most recent minutes now 59 days overdue from the June meeting. No one wants constant conflict with the Club, but when official channels fail, protest becomes the only option. Last season proved that fan action can drive change.”

“We call on all Blues to:

  • Track and record if and how these changes affect you.
  • Make your voice heard – online, via City Matters, and through fan groups.
  • Join fan groups such as 1894, the Disabled Supporters Association, Canal Street Blues, Trade Union Blues, and your local OSC branch to discuss issues with fellow Blues.”

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Lastly, they have called on the club to rethink their current policies surrounding personal attendance and ticket transfers, “take a ‘fans first’ approach when it comes to all future policies affecting supporters, engaging in meaningful consultation with fan representatives,” and publish fan meetings “on time.”

What do you make of the supporter groups’ statement and, more importantly, how do you feel about recent changes to season tickets and matchday admission, City fans?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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Manchester’s newest bowling venue Wynwood Lanes is giving away 100 FREE sessions on opening week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An exciting new bowling venue is opening in Manchester this week, and they’re giving away 100 free bowling sessions to celebrate.

Manchester get ready, as Wynwood Lanes is taking over the legendary Dog Bowl site and giving it a full Miami makeover.

Think five upgraded bowling lanes, pool tables, basketball hoops, sun drenched tunes, poolside cocktails, smoke machines, and a brunch menu from Kong’s NQ that’ll have you salivating before you’ve even sat down.

Wynwood Lanes will be running on a ‘unique’ day-mode and night-mode model.

This means that by day, guests can expect fresh brunch dishes and low-fi tunes, with children welcome until 7pm, and then when it’s in night mode, the Miami heat is turned up with party beats, celebratory smoke machines, late night snacks, and bar games.

Manchester’s newest bowling venue Wynwood Lanes is giving away 100 free sessions on its opening week / Credit: PICRYL | Supplied

As mentioned, fuel for the fun comes from Manchester legends Kong’s NQ, but this time with a Miami twist, so expect Cuban sandwiches, lime chicken avo arepas, tacos galore, and Miami-style brunch plates.

A boozy bottomless brunch will also take every Saturday and Sunday from next Saturday 30 August, with 90 minutes of Miami plates and free-flowing cocktails from £39.50 per person – with the option to upgrade to bowling for just a tenner

With the grand opening date just days away now, Wynwood Lanes wants to start things off with a bang… or you know, a strike.

In a bid to do this, they’ll be giving away free bowling sessions to the first 100 people through the doors on bank holiday Monday (25 August) from midday through to 11pm – with up to six players allowed per group.

Wynwood Lanes is open from 4pm tomorrow (Friday 22 August).

Read more:

Bowling prices will start at £9 (or totally free if you’re one of the first 100 to book for opening weekend), so follow this link to grab access to bowling booking slots when they’re released, and secure your lane before they’re gone.

Featured Image – Pexels

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