Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 2:12 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 14:18

Police in England lifted ten Manchester United supporters from their beds on Tuesday. The cause was the disturbances prior to the home game against Liverpool in May this year, when supporters took the field at Old Trafford and demanded the departure of the Glazer family. Arrests were made in Chadderton, Lancashire and Cheshire, among others. In total, ten men between the ages of 20 and 51 were arrested. They remain in custody pending interrogation.

Things went horribly wrong in May this year ahead of the home game against Liverpool, when supporters gathered at the stadium to protest against the American owners of the club, the Glazers. Several hundred supporters managed to gain access to the stadium and continued their action inside, where fireworks were set off and disturbances took place. The match against Liverpool had to be canceled for that reason. Manchester United and Liverpool players were staying in a nearby hotel at the time of the protest, allowing them to witness the chaos up close.

A number of officers were injured in the actions, after fans threw flares and bottles at the police. Following the incidents, a large-scale investigation was launched, which has led to the arrest of eighteen people, five of whom have been charged. “We want to emphasize that the events of May made a huge impression. The violence and disturbance in May, especially against the police, was completely unacceptable and unnecessary,” Detective Inspector Andy Fallows said in a statement ahead of the arrest warrants.

“Our team has worked diligently every day since May to ensure that all involved are identified and face the consequences of their actions,” Fallows continued. “Today’s arrests are an important step forward in our commitment to do this. We are also releasing images of men we would like to speak to. I am confident that there are those who can give us credible information in support of the Identification. These people have behaved horribly, they have abandoned themselves, disgraced our national sport and abandoned the city of Manchester.”