20/09/2012
Information for MUFC supporters travelling to Liverpool
The following statement is being circulated to Manchester United supporters
travelling to Anfield for the match on Sunday. We do not intend to make any
comment aside from this statement.
Information for MUFC supporters travelling to
Liverpool
Reds going to this Sunday's match against Liverpool at Anfield are being
asked to keep the aisles clear.
Last season, Liverpool City Council reduced United's allocation to 1,965 in
an attempt to address the problem of United fans blocking the aisles.
The move - accompanied by a widespread publicity campaign from United and its
fans' groups - worked and the council was satisfied safety problems had been
reduced.
At Sunday's match, they have not sold any seats on the back two rows of the
away end, as they offer a severely restricted view, which leads to migration.
This has meant United have lost 186 seats, meaning our allocation is 2,814.
In order to avoid a return to a sub-2,000 allocation, United fans will need
to keep the aisles clear as the blocking of these gangways is seen as a serious
safety issue.
United supporters' groups continue to work with the relevant authorities and
the Football Supporters' Federation to secure higher ticket allocations for the
large number of reds following the team away from home and have had a number of
successes recently including the higher allocation at Anfield this season after
the paltry 1,900 allocation last year.
Fans will also be aware that there has been significant interest in the media
about offensive chanting and gestures in reference to the Hillsborough and
Munich disasters that befell the two clubs. As a consequence, we understand that
Merseyside police and Liverpool stewards will be looking to take action against
any individuals identified as engaging in this type of behaviour, whether they
be United or Liverpool supporters.
Given the reaction to Saturday's chants of "always the victims", many United
fans have pointed out that the song is not a reference to Hillsborough, which
has also been acknowledged by Sir Alex Ferguson at his press conference. However
in the current context, regardless of the motivation, it clearly may be
perceived by Liverpool supporters, sections of the media, and indeed - judging
by feedback - some United supporters, as inappropriate on Sunday.
It is not the role of MUST to tell any United supporter how to support their
club but we do wish to reiterate the position of our organisation. We agree 100%
with the statement made by Sir Alex Ferguson and wish is to leave no room for
doubt - we unequivocally condemn chants mocking the Munich air crash,
Hillsborough and indeed any other human tragedy.
//ENDS
MUST - www.joinmust.org
MUST is the independent Manchester United Supporters' Trust, a not-for-profit
organisation with 180,000 members stretching around the world
Our Inspirational Dream
Manchester United FC owned by the fans and run
for the fans.
Our Greatest Imaginable Challenge
To create the opportunity for all
United fans to share in the ownership of their club, inspiring the participation
of at least one million supporters.
MUST is the independent Manchester United Supporters' Trust, a not-for-profit
organisation and an Industrial and Provident Society registered with the
Financial Services Authority (30024R) under the name I-MUST Limited with offices
at MUST, Trafford House, Chester Road, Stretford, MANCHESTER M32 0RS