IMUSA STATEMENT ON CHARLTON ALLOCATION

IMUSA are disappointed with Charlton Athletic's decision to reduce the allocation for Utd supporters for the visit to The Valley on September 13th.The major reason for this decision given was that supporters of Manchester United were guilty of persistent standing last season. Whilst IMUSA recognise the current constraints applied to supporters in the top two leagues in English Football, we see this as further justification for a full study to be completed by an independent body into the removal of legislation preventing the introduction of areas of safe standing at football grounds in England (and as promised by Tony Blair as part of his election manifesto).

IMUSA recently met with executives of the Football Premier League where we raised concerns about discrimination towards supporters of Manchester
United regarding reduced allocations. The PL provided IMUSA with assurances that with immediate effect, every clubs fans at every away ground will be monitored and documented by an independent body so as to avoid the discrimination which IMUSA have documented. We now look to the Premier League not only to fulfil their assurances to IMUSA regarding discrimination, but also to ensure that Charlton do not sell to their own supporters those they will have otherwise sold to supporters of Manchester United.