A police officer was slashed in the face with a bottle during protests before the postponed Manchester United vs Liverpool game today.
The Reds were due to take on their rivals in a 4.30pm kick off at Old Trafford.
But fan action inside and outside the stadium throughout the afternoon led to the match being called off.
A significant number of United supporters gathered to voice their disapproval at owners the Glazer family, a longstanding campaign given new impetus by the recent attempt to form a European Super League.
Some protesters even made their way into the ground, with a corner flag being taken and flares lit up on the pitch.
Greater Manchester Police released a statement this evening outlining how the protest escalated and led to two officers being injured.
The full statement from GMP read: “Officers were aware of a protest planned to take place in Old Trafford today (Sunday 2 May) and were working closely alongside partners to ensure those that attended were kept safe whilst enabling their right to peaceful protest.
“Early this afternoon, groups of protestors began to gather at Old Trafford and separately at The Lowry Hotel, Salford where the United players were staying. By late afternoon around 200 protestors had gathered outside the Lowry and over 1,000 at Old Trafford.
“Officers continued to closely monitor the situation, engaging with those present but as the groups grew in size, it became clear that many of those present were not intending to exercise their right to peaceful protest. Flares were let off and bottles thrown at officers.
“Protestors outside Old Trafford became especially aggressive and antagonistic towards police before a group of about 100 forced entry to the ground with some United staff having to lock themselves in rooms.
“Those in the stadium were evicted by officers but outside on the forecourt hostility grew with bottles and barriers being thrown at officers and horses. Two officers have been injured with one officer being attacked with a bottle and sustaining a significant slash wound to his face, requiring emergency hospital treatment.
“With the situation increasing in hostility, additional officers had to be deployed and officers had to be drawn in from neighbouring forces to assist Greater Manchester officers.
“Following discussion with The Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, a joint decision was made to postpone the match for safety reasons.”
The MEN reports that a senior officer has also spoken out to condemn the ‘reckless and dangerous’ behaviour.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: “The behaviour displayed today by those at both Old Trafford and The Lowry Hotel was reckless and dangerous.
“We understand the passion many supporters have for their team and we fully respect the right for peaceful protest. Plans were in place to ensure this could happen safely, but it soon became clear that many present had no intention of doing so peacefully.
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“The actions of those today required us to take officers from front line policing and call in support from neighbouring forces to prevent the disorder getting worse.
“At different points, bottles and barriers were thrown, officers assaulted and people scaled the stadium structure creating risk for themselves and officers.”
GMP are now looking for those responsible for the assaults and disorder - and bosses have promised to pursue prosecution.
