Manchester United fans sentenced for 2021 Old Trafford protests
By Mitch Wilks
39 fans present at protests held at Old Trafford in May 2021 have been sentenced for their part in the events of the day.
Manchester United were set to play Liverpool at the back end of the 2020/21 season, but saw the game postponed as fans protesting the club's ownership broke into the ground hours before kick-off.
At a time where matches were being played behind closed doors, they made their way onto the pitch, into the stands and around several other areas of Old Trafford throughout the afternoon, causing in excess of £70,000 worth of damage to the stadium as a result.
New footage has been released as the event continues to be dealt with, with the 39 fans ranging from 15 to 52 years old and being sentenced for the likes of assault, criminal damage and burglary. Banning orders have also been issued as a result.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Assistant Constable Wasim Chaudhry stated: "GMP's Major Investigation Team launched an extensive investigation relating to the disorder, following up on a large number of enquiries and intelligence received from public appeals, as well as extensive CCTV analysis and identification work, to make sure these people were located and made to face the consequences of their appalling actions that day.
"Our officers put their lives on the line every day to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe, and it is absolutely shameful that anyone would willingly assault an emergency worker. We simply will not tolerate this happening."
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36 police offers from GMP were injured in the protests, while security staff and stewards were also caught among the crowds and assaulted.
Two more defendants from the protests will appear before the courts in December 2022 and April 2023.