CHELTENHAM LATEST

‘Sir Alex Ferguson has made an appeal to supporters of
Manchester United in relation to his dispute with John
Magnier and Sir Alex’s grave concerns over possibly
disruptive action by club supporters at horse racing
meetings in general and the Cheltenham Festival in
particular.

‘The Cheltenham Festival is a classic meeting in the
national hunt racing calendar, which people from all over
the world and all walks of life come to enjoy. It is
effectively the equivalent of the FA Cup Final to horse
racing fans and Sir Alex would not wish this special
festival to be marred in any way. He is therefore asking
supporters to refrain from any form of protest and he is
strongly opposed to any violent unlawful or disruptive
behaviour which may reflect badly on the Club and its
supporters in general. Sir Alex also knows that this is the
view of the Manchester United Board, who have previously
urged fans not to participate in any disruptive or criminal
activities.

‘Sir Alex repeats that his current dispute with John Magnier
is a private matter not involving the Club and its
supporters and he is concerned first and foremost to protect
and serve the best interests and further success of the
Club.

‘Sir Alex wishes to express his real appreciation for the
support which he has always received from supporters in the
17 years he has been with the Club and re-affirms his
complete commitment to furthering the interests of the
Club.’

Within a couple of hours, the Manchester Education Committee
responded:

‘The MEC has made an appeal to Sir Alex Ferguson in relation
to their dispute with John Magnier and Ferguson’s concerns
over possibly disruptive action by the MEC and/or United
supporters at horse racing meetings in general and the
Cheltenham Festival in particular.

‘Manchester United is a classic, 126 years old football
club, which people from all over the world and all walks of
life enjoy. It is effectively the equivalent of a family
member to many United fans and the MEC does not wish this
special institution to be marred in any way. The MEC is
therefore asking Sir Alex Ferguson to refrain from giving
his name to any form of statement opposing action by United
supporters that they see as helping to defend their club
from predators such as Coolmore. The MEC also knows that
this is the view of many Manchester United fans, some of
whom have privately urged Sir Alex not to participate in any
statement that could be detrimental to support of the MEC,
in furthering their aims for the good of Manchester United.

‘The MEC repeats that this current dispute with John Magnier
is a private matter not involving Sir Alex and are concerned
first and foremost to protect and serve the best interests
and further success of the Club.’

However the group United4Action, that was planning a
peaceful and officially sanctioned demonstration at the
festival has called off its plans. Sean Murphy, co-founder
of the group said, “In view of the statement made by Sir
Alex Ferguson on Saturday, United4action is postponing our
planned racecourse protest at the Cheltenham festival on
March 18,' said Murphy. United4action was formed following
the attempts by JP McManus and John Magnier to de-stabilise
our football club in an effort to settle a 'private' matter.

“It was Cubic Expression that made it a public one, the
harassment and pressure put on Sir Alex's personnel and
private life was immense and as loyal supporters we could
not let that situation continue. It is reported that a
settlement in the 'private' dispute between Magnier and Sir
Alex is imminent, it is also apparent that in the last two
weeks Cubic Expression has become less hostile towards
Manchester United FC.

“United4action continues to view Magnier and McManus as
destabilising influences within our great football club and
we once again call on them to return their shares to the
fans, the rightful owners of the club. As an organisation,
we want to make it clear the postponement of the Cheltenham
Festival protest is exactly that - a postponement. Should
Magnier or McManus continue to disrupt our football club we
will fight on and we will never give in. We have provisional
plans to organise protests throughout the flat and sales
season in the UK and Ireland.

“United4action call an all those fans who pledged support to
our protest to listen to Sir Alex's request, and at all
times act in a manner befitting of our great clubs global
standing.”

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's managing director, seems
happy enough with the outcome:

“It is a very responsible and helpful statement and I hope
it will now help us manage the Festival in the interests of
the racing fans. Hopefully, this statement by Sir Alex will
make it very unlikely that anyone will protest and let's
hope this will bring the matter to an end.”