Manchester United have confirmed how they plan to honour the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away on Saturday, 21 October, revealing multiple tributes this week.
Tributes have been pouring in for the club and England legend following his death over the weekend, as players past and presents, staff and fans already having been welcomed to the home ground to lay flowers and scarves outside the Trinity Statue, as well as sign the book of condolences, with thousands more doing the same online in a digital dedication.
However, since the news of Charlton’s passing was learned not long before Man United’s away win against Sheffield United — with Harry Maguire dedicating the victory to the iconic World Cup winner — the club is yet to give Sir Bobby the proper send-off he deserves from the Old Trafford faithful.
That being said, the club have now officially revealed how they will pay their respects to the special footballer, starting several tributes at tonight’s Champions League match against FC Copenhagen.
Ready to honour Sir Bobby at his spiritual home ❤️
A full list of plans detailing numerous Sir Bobby Charlton tributes.
As detailed in a club statement, United “will honour and remember Sir Bobby at our men’s first-team game against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday through a special pre-match tribute, which will conclude with a minute’s silence before kick-off.
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Opening turnstiles will be open from 6pm, two hours before they are due to play, they are asking fans to arrive early and take their seats so as to give them plenty of time to prepare for the ceremony and pay their respects.
As the pre-match update goes on to explain, “a wreath will be in place on Sir Bobby’s seat within the Director’s Box, players and staff will wear black armbands and Sir Bobby will be remembered on the cover of the matchday programme.”
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There will also be further tributes to the 1968 European Cup, FA Cup and the three-time division one title-winner in the matchday programme for the Manchester derby this weekend, with Manchester City having already offered their condolences and apologised for the behaviour of some of their fans.
After a minute’s silence was observed and black armbands were worn by the United Women’s team during their WSL game against Everton at Leigh Sports Village on Monday, Sir Bobby will be similarly commemorated at their UEFA Youth League game on Tuesday as well, with club labelling it “a fitting tribute given his long association with our Academy”.
The book of condolence will also once against be available for fans to leave messages and memories in the International Suite from 10am-4pm right up until this Friday.
And lastly, ahead of their home fixtures against Man City in the Premier League this weekend, the club has said they will “celebrate the life of Sir Bobby with a minute’s applause and expressions of fan remembrance with flags and surfer banners” which will be passed around the stadium. It will be an emotional moment inside Old Trafford, for sure.
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They have assured that further information surrounding Sunday’s match and Charlton’s tributes will be communicated later this week and signed off by thanking the fan base for their “support over recent days and for ensuring we can remember Sir Bobby in such a dignified and respectful manner.”
Featured Image — Manchester United (via Instagram)
Sport
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
24th October 2023 
