The Police are investigating the MEC statement, and even name checked Redissue.co.uk – which led to some news programmes to announce that we were under investigation. A football news site reporting football news? Whatever next?
Independent:
‘Greater Manchester Police are investigating a statement by a militant Manchester United fans' group in which threats were made against Malcolm Glazer's family and anyone who helps the American in his proposed takeover.
‘"Measures will be put in place to deal with the comments, and an investigation is under way," a GMP spokesman said. A police source revealed, however, that the investigation is likely to comprise nothing more than scrutiny of the statement made by the so-called Manchester Education Committee. If the words are not deemed to be criminal, then no further action will be taken.
‘The MEC intimated that they are prepared to use violence to stop the Glazer bid, but stopped short of any explicit, direct actionable threat that could be offered in court as evidence.
‘In a separate development, other fans' groups staged an anti-Glazer protest at Old Trafford yesterday, urging the club's sponsors to back them in their fight. "If Glazer were to acquire the shares, the whole fan base is against him," said Sean Bones, a spokesman for the Shareholders United group. "The sponsors should play a more active role in convincing the board to turn down the Glazer bid," he added.’
Telegraph:
‘Police yesterday launched an investigation after threats were made against Manchester United board members and Malcolm Glazer, the American tycoon who is trying to take control of the club.
‘The police were alerted after a statement from the Manchester Education Committee, a shadowy group of whom little is known, was published on the website of the fans' magazine, Red Issue.
‘Sally Bruce, a spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are aware of the statement on the Red Issue website and will take all appropriate measures. An investigation is under way."
‘More responsible and mainstream United supporters were quick to distance themselves from such threats and Nick Towle, chairman of Shareholders United, said: "Shareholders United does not condone any violence, intimidation or illegal action by Manchester United fans."’
Times:
‘Anti-Glazer protests gathered momentum last night as about 400 Manchester United fans rallied outside Old Trafford chanting, honking car horns and waving banners in opposition to the proposed £800 million takeover of the club by the American billionaire. The peaceful protest, promoted by Shareholders United, a fan-shareholder lobby group with 20,000 members, was overseen by the police, who kept a low-key presence at the stadium.
‘Earlier, Greater Manchester Police said that it was investigating threatening statements made by a radical group of supporters against Malcolm Glazer, his financial backers and the club’s directors. The militants, who call themselves the Manchester Education Committee (MEC), threatened to be “ruthless” in their efforts to protect the club from the proposed takeover.
‘In a menacing statement before United’s emergency board meeting today, the group warned the club’s directors of the “consequences” of any encouragement of Glazer’s takeover. The statement also contained veiled threats directed at Joel, one of Glazer’s sons and a key figure in the proposed deal. “Appropriate measures will be put in place to deal with the comments and an investigation is under way,” a police spokesman said.
‘The MEC’s message, distributed direct to the media and circulated on fans’ internet message boards, was designed to remind the board that it had little time for talk of fiduciary duty. Because United is a public company, the directors have to consider any offer that might be in the interests of shareholders. This is likely to mean that they would allow the Glazer family a period of due diligence, granting their financial advisers at NM Rothschild access to the latest financial accounts and confidential legal documentation relating to the club’s income and expenditure.
‘Last night’s protest had no official link to the MEC, whose guerrilla-style tactics have been condemned by many fans. However, the chants included: “He’s gonna die, Malcolm Glazer’s gonna die, how we’ll kill him I don’t know, cut him up from head to toe, all I know is Glazer’s gonna die.”
‘Supporters staged a brief sit-down protest beneath the statue of Sir Matt Busby, opposite which hung an effigy of Glazer accompanied by the words “Welcome to Hell”. Mark Whittaker, a sales assistant from Sale, said: “We have come here to show the strength of feeling to the club and to Glazer. This is just the start of it. This should give him an idea of how much we don’t want him interfering.”’
BBC:
‘A 16-year-old boy has been charged with assaulting a police officer following a demo by Manchester United fans outside Old Trafford on Wednesday. Greater Manchester Police said up to 400 fans protested against US tycoon Malcolm Glazer's takeover bid.
One group staged a sit down protest on Sir Matt Busby Way before they were asked to move on by police.
‘The 16-year-old is also accused of a public order offence and is due before Trafford Youth Court on 15 February.’
Red Issue is aware that many supporters have been complaining about over-zealous policing at the top of Warwick Road last night, and that official complaints have been made to the GMP about their handling of the event.