Man United fan group releases statement criticising club after Rangers incidents
Hundreds of Rangers fans gained access to home areas of Old Trafford for the Europa League game on Thursday and Man Utd have vowed to investigate how it happened.
Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) have criticised the club for allowing hundreds of Rangers fans to buy tickets in the home areas at Old Trafford for Thursday night's Europa League clash.
MUST also hit out at an "inadequate" response from police and security to the hoards of visiting supporters who had very clearly taken over areas of the stadium reserved for United fans.
A group of around 100 Rangers fans had managed to get tickets together in the East Stand, in the seats very next to the away end, but there was no response from security at the ground despite the group singing songs and making their allegiances clear before kick-off.
United have vowed to investigate the issue, but it is the second time in two seasons that masses of visiting fans have got into the home end for a European game, with thousands of Galatasaray fans amongst the home support for the Champions League group stage fixture in 2023/24.
MUST have called on any fans who suffered issues on Thursday to raise them and said they will take matters to the club.
"We've had many disturbing reports from last night highlighting incidents with Rangers fans in home sections," a MUST statement read.
"Some were occupying seats of home fans, refusing to move and even threatening them when they tried to take their own seats. In the worst cases there were incidents of fighting as a result of these away fans being in home sections, with no Police/security response.
"Certainly no United fan should face any sanction as a result of away fans being in home sections and not being dealt with by police or security.
"We have relayed to the club all issues sent to us but encourage anyone with information or evidence to report them directly via feedback@manutd.co.uk so they are formally logged.
"What is particularly frustrating for our supporters is we've had incidents in recent weeks of security snatch teams entering the stadium to eject our own fans for minor incidents such as vaping. Similarly warning our fans about standing persistently in seats in areas such as the Stretford End where fans have traditionally stood without incident for 25 years!
"And yet there is no security response to away fans who are illegitimately in home sections presenting a direct security threat and even involved in fighting.
"MUST and Fans Forum members will be raising these matters with the club pending the outcome of investigations to firstly identify how these away fans obtained entry to home sections and secondly why there was an inadequate Police or security response to their presence."
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